Cab driver alarmed after new RCMP report shows would-be terrorist's bomb much stronger than initially thought
By Randy Richmond, The London Free Press
First posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2016 08:59 AM EST
The cab driver who unknowingly picked up a bomb-carrying terrorist in Strathroy for a trip to London says he’s alarmed, but not completely surprised, by new reports the explosive device was deadlier than initially suspected.
“I realized that (its danger) at the time. All I know it was one hell of a big bang,” former Strathroy cab driver Terry Duffield said.
An RCMP bomb analysis shows that the blast from the device, on its way to downtown London and perhaps Toronto, would have caused a high risk of death to anyone within 1.5 metres of the explosion and varying risks of injury up to 7.8 metres away.
Injuries could have included lung damage and ruptured ear drums.
That assessment doesn’t include the impact from bomb fragments or the 139 ball bearings reportedly embedded in the device.
“If what they’re saying is true, I wouldn’t be here talking to you today (if the bomb fully detonated). They would have went right through the seat,” Duffield said.
The new report raises questions about how RCMP allowed a man under their watch, Aaron Driver, build such a powerful bomb that might have harmed many, Duffield’s lawyer said.
“It certainly underscores the threat that Terry was under. But for it not detonating the way he (Driver) planned, Terry would be just a memory,” Kevin Egan said.
In an effort to prove why new powers are needed to battle terrorism and crime, the RCMP provided The Toronto Star and CBC details of 10 cases, including Driver’s.
The 24-year-old ISIS sympathizer was living with his sister in Strathroy when RCMP got a tip from the FBI about a martyrdom video in which Driver vowed imminent revenge on Canadians.
Police surrounded his sister’s house Aug. 10, and watched as Duffield’s taxi pulled up and Driver got in the back seat. Driver was planning to go to Citi Plaza in London, but police don’t know if he intended to exploded the device there or head to Toronto.
As police approached the taxi in Strathroy, there was a blast inside. Officers shot Driver dead and Duffield scrambled out the front, suffering minor injuries.
Some initial media reports called the bomb a small explosive.
In August, a senior Mountie said police believed the blast was caused by detonators for a bomb, but the more powerful explosives never ignited.
RCMP now say a small portion of the bomb did detonate, according to news reports Tuesday.
The RCMP did not answer questions from The Free Press.
In news reports, the RCMP state they were able to put Driver under only a peace bond in 2015 because his personal messages with ISIS sympathizers were encrypted.
Proposed changes to Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Act would require suspects to unlock their devices.
Meanwhile, OPP investigators have yet to interview him, Duffield said Tuesday.
Cab driver alarmed after new RCMP report shows would-be terrorist's bomb much st
By Randy Richmond, The London Free Press
First posted: Wednesday, November 16, 2016 08:59 AM EST
The cab driver who unknowingly picked up a bomb-carrying terrorist in Strathroy for a trip to London says he’s alarmed, but not completely surprised, by new reports the explosive device was deadlier than initially suspected.
“I realized that (its danger) at the time. All I know it was one hell of a big bang,” former Strathroy cab driver Terry Duffield said.
An RCMP bomb analysis shows that the blast from the device, on its way to downtown London and perhaps Toronto, would have caused a high risk of death to anyone within 1.5 metres of the explosion and varying risks of injury up to 7.8 metres away.
Injuries could have included lung damage and ruptured ear drums.
That assessment doesn’t include the impact from bomb fragments or the 139 ball bearings reportedly embedded in the device.
“If what they’re saying is true, I wouldn’t be here talking to you today (if the bomb fully detonated). They would have went right through the seat,” Duffield said.
The new report raises questions about how RCMP allowed a man under their watch, Aaron Driver, build such a powerful bomb that might have harmed many, Duffield’s lawyer said.
“It certainly underscores the threat that Terry was under. But for it not detonating the way he (Driver) planned, Terry would be just a memory,” Kevin Egan said.
In an effort to prove why new powers are needed to battle terrorism and crime, the RCMP provided The Toronto Star and CBC details of 10 cases, including Driver’s.
The 24-year-old ISIS sympathizer was living with his sister in Strathroy when RCMP got a tip from the FBI about a martyrdom video in which Driver vowed imminent revenge on Canadians.
Police surrounded his sister’s house Aug. 10, and watched as Duffield’s taxi pulled up and Driver got in the back seat. Driver was planning to go to Citi Plaza in London, but police don’t know if he intended to exploded the device there or head to Toronto.
As police approached the taxi in Strathroy, there was a blast inside. Officers shot Driver dead and Duffield scrambled out the front, suffering minor injuries.
Some initial media reports called the bomb a small explosive.
In August, a senior Mountie said police believed the blast was caused by detonators for a bomb, but the more powerful explosives never ignited.
RCMP now say a small portion of the bomb did detonate, according to news reports Tuesday.
The RCMP did not answer questions from The Free Press.
In news reports, the RCMP state they were able to put Driver under only a peace bond in 2015 because his personal messages with ISIS sympathizers were encrypted.
Proposed changes to Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Act would require suspects to unlock their devices.
Meanwhile, OPP investigators have yet to interview him, Duffield said Tuesday.
Cab driver alarmed after new RCMP report shows would-be terrorist's bomb much st
