WATCH: The Winnipeg police bomb disposal unit works Sunday evening on Stradbrook Street, where a controlled detonation of an explosive device took place.
WINNIPEG — Police have identified the man arrested in connection with the bombing of a Winnipeg law office and are warning the legal community to be on the lookout for other suspicious packages.
Guido Amsel, 49, of Winnipeg is charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated assault and multiple charges related to the possession of explosives.
The explosion Friday morning at the Petersen King law office on River Avenue that seriously wounded lawyer Maria Mitousis, 38, a bomb found at a Washington Avenue business Saturday and an explosive device found Sunday evening at the Stradbrook Avenue law firm of Orle Bargen Davidson LLP are all related, Winnipeg police said Sunday.
READ MORE: Blast rocks Winnipeg neighbourhood as police investigate bombing
Police believe Amsel targeted his ex-wife, with whom he has been involved in lengthy litigation. It also appears he targeted legal counsel who represented his ex-wife or him in the past, police said. Mitousis represented his ex-wife in both the divorce case and a civil case she brought against Amsel, The Canadian Press reported.
None of the charges have been proven in court and Amsel remains innocent until proven guilty.
Police are concerned other packages have been sent to legal counsel or those who have dealt with Amsel. Police are warning the public to be extra cautious and to look for “distinctive writing” on the packages. The hand-written block letters appear to read “FROM … LARSEN AVE.”
“Police are imploring extreme caution if any suspicious packages are discovered,” a news release issued late Sunday said. “Please do not handle suspicious packages and contact police immediately.”
The packages were sent on June 29 and 30 through Canada Post and delivered July 2 and 3, police said.
READ MORE: Man in custody in connection with Winnipeg law office bombing
Police remained on scene at Washington Avenue and Stradbrook Avenue Sunday night, where the explosives were found.
They are also investigating a business on Springfield Road and a home on Pandora Avenue, allegedly associated with Amsel.
A gofundme campaign was launched Sunday by friends of Maria Mitousis to help her recover from her injuries. The fundraiser had brought in more than $18,000 from 172 people by 7 a.m. Monday.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story mistakenly identified the Stradbrook Street law office as Orle, Barkman and Davidson after police provided the wrong name in a news release.
Comments