Canadian police kill 'terror suspect' in Ontario armed swoop

Armed officers stormed into Strathroy, Ontario, on Wednesday afternoon in an operation which police reportedly said centred around Aaron Driver. Driver, in his mid-20s, had sympathised with Daesh on social media and was under a court order not to associate with any terrorist group.

The London Free Press newspaper cited family members who reported that Driver was shot by police after he detonated a device, wounding himself and another person.

According to senior police, Driver had allegedly planned to carry out a suicide bombing mission in a public area.

The Manitoba-born suspect was placed on a court-ordered peace bond restricting his movements in February, ordering him to stay away from social media and computers and not have contact with Daesh or similar groups. The Guardian quotes the bond, which reportedly cites “reasonable grounds to fear that he may participate, contribute directly or indirectly in the activity of a terrorist group”.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said a suspect had been identified and the “proper course of action has been taken” to ensure there was no danger to public safety.

“These agencies conducted themselves effectively in the circumstances that developed today,” Canadian public safety minister Ralph Goodale said.