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Police provide details about suspect behind Winnipeg law court explosion

Click to play video: 'EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Small explosion outside of law courts on York Avenue'
EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Small explosion outside of law courts on York Avenue
WATCH : Small explosion outside of law courts on York Avenue – Aug 24, 2016

WINNIPEG — Police are on the lookout for a man in his 20s, who is the suspect behind the minor explosion that happened outside the law courts in downtown Winnipeg Wednesday.

Just before 2 p.m., police were called to the courthouse on York Avenue and Kennedy Street for reports of a fire and a small explosion.

READ MORE: Video captures minor explosion outside Winnipeg law courts 

A Global News camera operator was on scene at the time and said he smelled smoke in the air and started to look around for the source. A backpack was laying on the sidewalk on fire. Seconds later a security guard ran over with a fire extinguisher and that’s when it exploded.

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The security guard who is in his 50s was taken to hospital as a precaution, police said.

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Const. Rob Carver of the Winnipeg police held a media conference about the incident Thursday morning.

Carver said a man in his 20s, placed the bag on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse, lit it on fire and then took off on a small sized bicycle.

“The suspect male is described as male Aboriginal in appearance, mid 20s with some facial hair and he was wearing sunglasses and a hat,” Const. Carver said.

If anyone has any information regarding this incident they are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-204-786-8477.

 

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