RCMP say there will “likely” be more charges laid in the foiled mass-murder plot to attack a Halifax mall on Valentine’s Day.
Nova Scotia RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brian Brennan says investigators continue to gather evidence for the case.
“There are most likely to be further charges,” Brennan said in an interview with CTV Atlantic Anchor Steve Murphy on Tuesday. “What those charges will be, we can’t say right now.”
Two people have been accused of plotting a Feb. 14 attack on the Halifax Shopping Centre.
Randall Steven Shepherd, 20, and Lindsay Kantha Souvannarath, 23, appeared in Halifax court Tuesday on a slew of charges, including conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit arson, illegal possession of weapons for a purpose dangerous to the public and making a threat through social media.
Brennan said that investigators are combing through “large social media” websites as they gather evidence.
Brennan also said there “very well might be” more people involved in the alleged plot.
“We don’t know how many people are connected to those (social media) sites, and who was communicating with those people,” Brennan said.
He added: “We’re not ruling out anything at this time.”
Shepherd and Souvannarath are accused of plotting to kill as many people as possible at the mall.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Shepherd, of Halifax, and Souvannarath, of Geneva, Ill., were brought into court separately Tuesday morning, but appeared together before a judge. Extra police officers were on hand for the brief court appearance.
A duty counsel lawyer told the court the pair won’t seek bail.
The pair will remain behind bars until their next court appearance on March 6.
Crown lawyer Shauna MacDonald said both accused are seeking defence lawyers.
Asked why the case amounts to a conspiracy, MacDonald told reporters that police allege the accused had made an agreement.
“The basis of a conspiracy is an agreement, so it can be a conversation,” she said.
Information from the Crown alleges the offences were carried out in co-ordination with James Lee Gamble, a 19-year-old man found dead in his Halifax home.
With files from The Canadian Press and CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl
