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Alberta RCMP identify explosion suspect in Edmonton-area parkade

SHERWOOD PARK, Alta. — RCMP have identified a suspect who died after he was found in an underground parkade where two explosions occurred on Tuesday.

SHERWOOD PARK, Alta. — RCMP have identified a suspect who died after he was found in an underground parkade where two explosions occurred on Tuesday.

Kane Kosolowsky was discovered injured in a vehicle at a complex in Sherwood Park, just east of Edmonton, that houses Strathcona County’s civic offices, a library and a restaurant.

The 21-year-old was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Mounties say he died of a gunshot wound, but they are not seeking any other suspect nor were officers involved in his death.

“This was a singular event,” RCMP said in a release Thursday. “The RCMP continues to investigate the motive for this crime.”

RCMP spokesman Fraser Logan said there’s no indication Kosolowsky was connected with any group or ideology.

The man’s family said in a statement that what happened was out of character for him and they are shocked and devastated.

“We are working in co-operation with the RCMP to assist in any capacity with the investigation,” said the statement. “We are thankful that there were no other persons harmed.

“We trust that the authorities will continue a thorough investigation to provide the answers we are all seeking.”

The building as well as two nearby schools remained closed Thursday, although police said the surrounding area had been deemed safe and roadblocks were to be removed. They said there were no known threats to the schools.

Further investigation inside the parkade was expected to take several days.

The county’s mayor, Rod Frank, said engineers have been hired to examine the structure to determine if or when it will be safe to reopen.

“Safety is No. 1,” said Frank.

About 600 employees work out of the county building. The second lower level of the parkade where the explosions happened is for staff parking only. Frank said most staff had left for the day when the explosions happened after 6 p.m.

However, many people were in the library which had to be safely evacuated after the first explosion. The second blast occurred after police arrived. No one was hurt.

Frank said the county will eventually review security measures at the facility.

— By Chris Purdy in Edmonton