The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has apprehended a juvenile in Montreal over suspected terrorist activities, as revealed in an official statement. According to the RCMP, the individual, described as a “young man,” is believed to have been planning an attack on a school within the city. It is alleged that he utilized artificial intelligence in the potential orchestration of the attack and distributed threatening messages via the messaging platform Telegram, targeting various groups such as Muslims, Haitians, and the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Sgt. Érique Gasse, a spokesperson for the RCMP, stated that the FBI provided tips a few weeks ago regarding the individual’s planned attack, leading to the arrest at the individual’s residence on Friday morning. The arrest was carried out as part of an inquiry conducted by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, which focuses on monitoring and disrupting criminal activities associated with terrorist entities or individuals posing threats to Canada’s national security.
The ongoing investigation includes a search of the individual’s residence for electronic devices and any pertinent evidence. The operation’s aim, as per the news release, is to disrupt the suspected activities of the individual and to secure a peace bond for monitoring and de-escalation purposes. The individual is currently cooperating with investigators, and as per Sgt. Gasse, is scheduled to appear in youth court on Saturday, with the possibility of facing charges at a later stage.