Police released photos of two men they want to identify during Tuesday’s press briefing. (North Vancouver RCMP)
Police are searching for two men linked to an explosion outside the office of Bowinn Ma, a B.C. cabinet minister. The blast happened in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale area on June 27. Officers say the explosion damaged the office door. It came from a homemade device, likely made of fireworks or bear bangers taped together.
Suspect Descriptions
Investigators released images of two suspects caught on camera. One is a white man with a stocky build and balding hair. The other is also white, slim, and wore a long blond wig. Police ask the public to help identify them.
“Even a small tip could help solve this case,” said Const. Mansoor Sahak.
Motive Still Unclear
Police don’t yet know why the office was targeted. Sahak said it's too early to say whether the attack was politically motivated.
“There’s not enough information to point to that,” he added. “But that could change as we learn more.”
Linked Incident Nearby
Earlier that morning, around 2:45 a.m., someone called police about a loud noise on West First Avenue. Officers couldn’t find anything at that time. But at 4:15 a.m., they responded to another explosion nearby on West Esplanade. That second call led them to evidence of an actual blast.
Sahak confirmed both explosions are connected. Police say a street sign was targeted in the earlier incident.
Charges Being Considered
At this point, police are treating the case as mischief. However, Sahak said more charges may follow once they gather more details.
Safety and Politics
The North Vancouver RCMP Serious Crime Unit is leading the investigation. No similar attacks have been reported at other political offices. Ma, the local NDP MLA since 2017, is also B.C.’s Minister of Infrastructure.
Ma said she feels the attack highlights a dangerous trend.
“I worry that this makes it harder for elected officials to stay open and accessible,” she said. “We all lose something as a democracy when that happens.”
Leaders Respond
Premier David Eby also spoke about the attack. He said it affects the very nature of public service.
“This strikes at the heart of the job,” he said. “Being present and available to the public is key.”
Ma said she refuses to be intimidated. She acknowledged the risk but said staying connected to the community remains her top priority.
