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Neighbours of U.S. consulate suspect say newcomers should leave political troubles behind
The bomb scare at Halifax’s U.S. consulate that shut down much of the city’s downtown last week had its echoes in Clayton Park, the suburb established in the 1960s that in recent years has been a magnet for the port city’s burgeoning population of immigrants.
As downtown was swarmed by police, including bomb experts who found potentially explosive items in a car outside the consulate, the investigation took Halifax police to the quiet cul-de-sac home of the man charged in the episode.
Although no alleged motive has been discussed, the suspect is from Iran, where the Islamic Regime is fighting a war with the United States.
Days later, neighbours told a visiting reporter that the family was new to the area. They also said newcomers should leave their political troubles behind when they come to Canada.
“Everyone has their opinion, but it should not impact others’ lives,” said Ashok Kumar, who lives near the suspect and his family.
“If you’ve got an opportunity to come to a developed nation, you should do your job and feed the family, pay taxes and follow the rules … Why do you want to take all the baggage here and dump it?”
The suspect’s legal aid lawyer confirmed his client is Iranian, but could not confirm reports that he came to Canada in 2024.
Kumar, who came to Canada from India nine years ago and became a Canadian citizen in 2023, cautioned against painting all immigrants with the same brush. “It should not be generalized.”
The father of two young children isn’t particularly worried about safety in the neighbourhood.
“When somebody already informs the authorities that ‘I am doing this,’ to me it looks like they just want to get caught or give a message,” said the registered nurse.
“It’s definitely different than a school shooting or something like that, which is really scary.”
The suspect was arrested last Monday morning, shortly after police investigating a bomb threat received the day before discovered his vehicle in the parkade at Purdy’s Wharf, the harbourfront office and retail complex where the U.S. consulate is located. The headquarters of Canada’s East Coast navy is also nearby.
A propane tank was visible in the vehicle, along with several containers believed to contain flammable liquid, prompting Halifax Regional Police to call in their explosive disposal unit and evacuate a large area of the downtown. A suspicious bag was also found nearby.
Kumar is pleased police took the alleged threat seriously by evacuating a good chunk of the city’s downtown core around Purdy’s Wharf.
“One hundred per cent,” Kumar said. “I’m really happy. You never know.”
Kumar has lived on the street for two years and he believes the suspect’s family was already living there when he moved in.
He’s never exchanged words with the suspect, who speaks Farsi and Arabic.
“I think language barrier is the problem,” Kumar said.
“Any new language after you are an adult, I think, is difficult.”
Few neighbours in the area seem to know each other.
“Nobody talks here; everybody works,” Kumar said.
A young boy came to a second-storey window at the suspect’s home Friday and said he wasn’t home alone. But nobody opened the door when the National Post rang the bell.
Druv Mashashruwala, who also lives in the neighbourhood, said some of the suspect’s children go to school with his kids.
Mashashruwala came to Halifax from India a decade ago and became a Canadian citizen in 2020.
“I believe, personally, that we need to accept the culture of the country where we are moving,” he said.
“I am not saying forget about your roots 100 per cent or your beliefs 100 per cent but try to adapt to a culture which is where you’re moving … Protesting here is not going to improve the situation there — trust me.”
Mashashruwala said the suspect’s 14-year-old son was wandering the cul-de-sac in the hot sun last Monday while police searched his home.
The business analyst said he got the boy to come in for something to drink and some shade.
“He was a good chap,” Mashashruwala said. “I personally felt it was too hot to be outside without water.”
The boy “was a little bit traumatized,” he said. “I told him if you need any help, just knock on my door.”
His older sister eventually came to Mashashruwala’s house for a drink, as well as the suspect’s wife and 11-year-old.
“I offered coffee to the mom. They all were tired, trust me … They all were stressed.”
Police, who descended on the street in large numbers last Monday morning, didn’t allow the family back into their home until around 8 p.m. that night, he said.
“They had no place to go,” Mashashruwala said.
“I wish they get settled very soon, whatever has happened, they try to forget and move ahead with their life.”
Rebecca Ruan, who has lived in the area for nine years, said she hasn’t spoken with the suspect, but one of his children catches the school bus with her kids.
“I’m not sure if they’re new to Canada, but they’re pretty new to this place,” she said.
Ruan is from China, but she immigrated to Canada 16 years ago and is a permanent resident here.
She’s not keen on newcomers bringing their beefs to Canada.
“I don’t really like that here,” she said.
“If it’s personal anger related to the United States, why do that in Canada?”
Ali Assakereh, 54, is charged with threatening to “destroy or damage” property belonging to the U.S. Consulate, and with public mischief for misleading police by reporting a bomb threat. A bail hearing for Assakereh that was slated for last Friday was put over until this coming Wednesday.
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