iN VIDEO: UPDATE: Modified grenade found on Armstrong street never threat to public

ARMSTRONG – An RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit has dealt with a suspected explosive device found yesterday afternoon in Armstrong.

A Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP media release said an RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit has confirmed today, March 20, the suspected device was a modified grenade and was not an actual explosive. Police say there was no risk to public safety.

RCMP say a concerned citizen informed police shortly before 5 p.m. March 19, that they'd seen what they believed may be an explosive device in the area of the 3100 block of Smith Drive in Armstrong.

Two city blocks on Smith Road, near Dairy Queen, were closed after the device was discovered and nearby buildings were evacuated. Smith Drive has since reopened.

Police say the explosive disposal unit disposed of the device so it won't end up it the wrong hands again.

RCMP say the intent of the explosive device being placed in that area is still unknown, as is when it was placed there.

Vernon RCMP spokesperson Const. Kelly Brett told iNFOnews.ca earlier today the explosive disposal unit travelled from the Nanaimo area to deal with the situation.

— This story was updated at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, 2019 with new information from RCMP.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

Ben Bulmer

After a decade of globetrotting, U.K. native Ben Bulmer ended up settling in Canada in 2009. Calling Vancouver home he headed back to school and studied journalism at Langara College. From there he headed to Ottawa before winding up in a small anglophone village in Quebec, where he worked for three years at a feisty English language newspaper. Ben is always on the hunt for a good story, an interesting tale and to dig up what really matters to the community.

More Articles