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Peter MacKay, the Justice Minister in Canada said a tip from the public to police resulted in a group of murderous misfits being stopped from carrying out a mass murder of people in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Although MacKay said it does not appear that the group’s plan was culturally motivated or tied to terrorism, he argued that those people whom are bent on killing large numbers of people could be easily radicalized by groups such as IS.
More details have emerged about the group’s planned massacre on Valentine’s Day.
Police arrested three on Friday, including a 23-year old woman from Chicago the day prior to the planned attack.
A fourth person, a male, who is tied to the plot, was found dead and it is believed he killed himself while police surrounded his Halifax home.
Based on the information the police have gathered, if carried out the massacre would have killed, injured or maimed dozens. MacKay said a Canadian male who is 19, and the woman from Chicago, were in contact online, allegedly planning to open fire in a public venue as part of their suicide pact. Authorities said two others were involved.
MacKay said it appeared, the group was coming to Halifax, living in Halifax and planning to carry out mayhem on the community.
Authorities said all of the suspects were in custody or dead. Extra security measures were taken at the unnamed public venue.
Police did not release information as to where the public venue was, but reports have suggested it was at a shopping mall. Police said the group was able to get firearms and had presented a substantial threat related to weapons. Law enforcement seized weapons, but did not say what they were.
The woman from the United States was arrested at the Halifax airport at 2 am Friday by Royal Canadian Mounted Police. She was to be picked up by a male who is 20 and was arrested with her. The two were due to have a meeting ahead of their planned massacre. The woman however, had made her suicide pact with the 19-year old found dead in the home of his parents.
