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WATCH: Suspicious package with “bomb inside” sent to Red Deer law firm

Heavy police presence in the downtown Tuesday afternoon

Police were called to a Red Deer law firm after it received a box with “bomb inside” written on it.

After the Explosive Disposal Unit attended Tuesday afternoon and investigated, it was determined the suspicious package was not a bomb.

Andrew Phypers, who owns Advocate Law, said they received a package Tuesday morning that had the writing saying there was a “bomb inside” on its side.

“I was pretty sure it was just somebody who wrote something stupid on it, but I didn’t want to risk it,” said Phypers.

He said called the police and got his people out of the building, not wanting to risk it.

Police were called to the scene just after 12:30 p.m. and blocked off 47th Avenue between 48th and 49th Streets. Red Deer Emergency Services and the Explosive Disposal Unit were also called. The EDU arrived at 3:30 p.m.

Phypers, his partner at the firm Maurice Collard and other staff looked on from the Jackpot Casino parking lot.

Donna Basarowich lives in an apartment above the law firm. She said she was evacuated from her home at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

She sat in her vehicle, with the air conditioning running, and looked on as the police worked. She said she remembered to bring her cat with her out of the building, just in case.

By 4:30 p.m. the EDU had determined the package was not suspicious and people were once again allowed back into the building.



mcrawford@reddeeradvocate.com

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Police in downtown Red Deer. (Photo contributed by CURTIS DALE) Police in downtown Red Deer. (Photo contributed by CURTIS DALE)
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A suspicious package sent to Advocate Law in downtown Red Deer. (Photo contributed by ANDREW PHYPERS)
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