UPDATE: Mississauga Residents Among Victims in ‘Horrendous’ Explosion

Police across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) are hunting a pair of suspects linked to a bombing at an Indian restaurant in Mississauga which sent 15 people to hospital.

“I want to assure everyone that every police resource is being used right now to locate the people responsible for this horrendous act,” said Peel Regional Police Chief Jennifer Evans on Friday morning.

First responders were sent to Bombay Bhel at 5035 Hurontario St. at 10:32 p.m. on May 24. That’s at the northeast corner of Eglinton Ave.

Peel Paramedics transported 15 patients to hospital, with three taken to a Toronto trauma centre.

The trio have since been upgraded to stable condition, said Evans.

Those victims are a 35-year-old Brampton man, and two Mississauga women ages 62 and 48.

The remaining dozen range in age from 23 to 69 and were treated and released from local hospital, said Evans.

Two men entered the Indian restaurant -where two separate birthday parties were taking place- with an improvised explosive device (IED) and were seen fleeing in a vehicle immediately following the explosion.

There’s no indication this is a terrorist act or hate crime, said Evans.

She confirmed there were children in the restaurant at the time.

“Fortunately, they were not injured,” Evans said.

Either way, “we need the public’s assistance to help us identify these men,” said Evans.

The first suspect is described as mid-20s with light skin, standing 5-foot-10 to 6-feet with a stocky build. He was wearing dark blue jeans, a dark zip-up hoodie pulled over his head, a baseball cap with light grey peak. His face was covered with black cloth material.

The second suspect is described as having fair skin, standing 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10 with a thin build. He was wearing faded blue jeans, a dark zip-up hoodie with the hood pulled over his head, a grey T-shirt, and dark ‘skate’ shoes with his face covered.

Witnesses or anyone who was in the area or has dash cam footage is asked the contact the 12 Division criminal investigation bureau at 905-453-2121 ext. 1233.

Mayor Bonnie Crombie was also on hand for the press conference and described the incident as heinous.

“This is not the Mississauga I know,” said Crombie, adding the “people who have done this need to answer for their crimes.”  

There’s “considerable” damage to the restaurant, said Evans, adding police have cordoned off as much as possible and it will take several hours to process the scene.

“This is a very serious investigation,” Evans said.

Photo courtesy of Peel Paramedics

UPDATE: Victims in Mississauga Bombing Released From Hospital: Police