A 45-year-old Calgary man who once worked in military intelligence before going on long-term disability has pleaded guilty to firearms and exploses charges, linked to a planned attack on a downtown Calgary skyscraper that houses Veteran Affairs Canada.
The man, who can only be referred to as GG under a court-ordered publication ban, had undergone a preliminary psychiatric exam and was fit to stand trial, but pleaded guilty Thursday in a Calgary courtroom.
The Calgary man had been in a fight with Veterans Affairs Canada over compensation for health-care costs (CBC)
Crown prosecutor Doug Simpson told CBC News a terrorism charge was considered but never laid.
GG was arrested last January after he was found with weapons, explosives and detailed building plans targeting the Veterans Affairs office on the seventh floor of the Bantrel Tower, at 700 Sixth Avenue S.W.
RCMP were called by GG's wife, whose name is also under a publication ban, on Jan. 8 at 5:47 p.m. after she suspected that her husband was possibly suicidal.
She told police that GG was ex-military and that he had taken a rifle with him.
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After searching the area for several hours, police found GG on his parent's acreage near Springbank, located just west of Calgary.
GG was discovered sleeping in a utility trailer and was dressed in camouflage pants. A duffle bag beside him contained a loaded 40-calibre HK semi-automatic handgun.
He told officers he intended to commit suicide. He was arrested under the Mental Health Act and brought to hospital for treatment.
Guns, explosives found
Officers found several items inside GG's car, including a loaded semi-automatic rifle, 1000 rounds of ammunition and night vision binoculars. They also found jugs of chemicals.
Eight jugs were found in the backseat that contained either ammonia, bleach or muriatic acid. Several other jugs were on the front passenger seat containing either bleach, chlorine or muriatic acid.
The jugs were located in two suitcases, and wires ran in the vehicle from a battery towards the suitcases, although they were not attached. Police were unable to identify substances found in smaller containers. Other items in the car included gun powder, bear spray and smoke grenades.
A member of the RCMP Explosive Unit said he constructed a pipe bomb using materials found in GG's car. The corporal even detonated the pipe bomb and said it would be extremely dangerous to the public.
In-depth plans
Police then seized several items in GG's possession beginning with six videos and a few photographs from his cellphone.
A copy of a typed out plan and building information on the Bantrel Tower were seized from GG's laptop. Some of the videos were taken in November and December of 2013 by GG at the Bantrel Tower.
The plan contained notes by GG made during reconnaissance of the Bantrel Tower and a plan relating what the Crown submitted as "a plan to attack the office of Veteran's Affairs in the Bantrel Tower Building."
The plan was made in the fall of 2013.
One part of the plan was labelled as a "risk assessment," while another had the title "Walking around the building with IR camera on identifying." There are references to steps to be taken on certain floors of the building.
GG had a copy the Bantrel Tower building specifications, which included exits, entrances and office locations.
GG was at odds with Veteran's Affairs Canada for at least a year before his arrest.
Bantrel Tower is located in downtown Calgary and houses multiple offices. (CBC)
He joined the military in 2008, and had been working in military intelligence.
Three years later he went on long-term military disability.
GG fought with Veterans Affairs Canada over compensation for health-care costs. GG received an H1N1 flu shot while he was in the military and he alleges it led to multiple sclerosis.
Temporary publication ban
Defence lawyer Tonii Roulston asked the judge for a publication ban on the name of the accused and his wife to protect the family of the accused from public retaliation.
"I am not seeking to have the facts of this case quashed or that these facts no be heard by members of the public," said Roulston. "Here there is some substantial harm that is real."
'The nature of the charges are a bit unusual from what we would normally see before the court.'- defence lawyer Tonii Roulston
"The nature of the charges are a bit unusual from what we would normally see before the court."
Judge Sean Dunnigan agreed, responding "that's for sure."
CBC spoke in court opposing the publication ban, arguing the ban may give the impressing to the public that news media are trying to hide or protect the accused. He also said an attempt to avoid embarrassment for the family would set a serious precedent.
Judge Dunnigan said he did not have time to make a proper decision.
"I don't want to shoot from the hip here," he said.
He did approve an interim publication ban on the name of the accused and the name of his wife, although he had reservations.
GG will now undergo a forensic psychiatric exam and a risk assessment.
Bantrel Tower building information
- Building located on northwest corner of Sixth Avenue and Sixth Street S.W. in downtown Calgary near shops, gym and the Calgary Courts Centre.
- 11,000 square feet
- Number of floors: 22
- +15 walkway access to all of downtown system
Google Maps: Location of building
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