Man charged after bomb threat made against U.S. Consulate in Halifax

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a bomb threat made against the U.S. Consulate in Halifax, which resulted in part of the city's downtown being shut down. According to police, the incident occurred on Sunday at 6:15 p.m. when they were alerted to a threat against the consulate situated in Purdy’s Wharf on Upper Water Street.

The suspect was identified and an investigation was launched. However, it was not until around 8:10 a.m. on Monday that police found the man's vehicle in the parkade of Purdy’s Wharf, though he was not present at the time.

Upon discovering the vehicle, police found a propane tank and containers believed to contain flammable liquid inside, prompting the evacuation of several streets in the downtown core. A suspicious bag was also found nearby. On Tuesday, 54-year-old Ali Assakereh was charged with uttering threats and public mischief and was set to appear at Halifax provincial court.

Assakereh was located approximately 10 kilometres away at Thomas Raddall Drive near the Canada Games Centre, where he was arrested and is currently being interviewed by police. The evacuation order was lifted by 2 p.m., and the previously closed roads were reopened. Police have not deemed the incident a national security threat.