Surrey RCMP investigate ‘pressure cooker’ post about Vaisakhi parade
Posted April 23, 2019 8:17 pm.
Last Updated April 23, 2019 8:29 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
SURREY (NEWS 1130) – A controversial post to social media has earned one person a visit from the Surrey RCMP. The poster responded to a news story on Facebook, saying they wondered what would have happened if someone had placed a pressure cooker bomb at Surrey’s Vaisakhi parade, calling it a “missed opportunity.”
Cpl. Elenore Sturko, with Surrey RCMP, confirms the force is investigating.
“Investigators did locate the individual who they believe is responsible for making that post,” she says. “It was disturbing for the public but there’s no indication there was any danger to the public.”
Responding to a story posted about the Vaisakhi parade on Facebook, which drew hundreds of thousands to Surrey over the weekend, the post said: “Imagine what one pressure cooker bomb could have done.”
RELATED: Surrey’s Vaisakhi parade
Sturko says the investigation is ongoing, but RCMP haven’t arrested anyone or charges have not been laid. She says multiple people found the post offensive and called in to report it, including NDP MLA Jinny Sims.
“It’s good to see that people in the community are willing to observe this kind of behaviour, suspicious activity, and report it to police so that we can investigate.”
While she won’t talk about the case specifically, she does say there are laws against spreading hate online.
“People can be charged with hate crimes, spreading hate propaganda, inciting public hatred,” she says. “These are things that are illegal in Canada.”
