Pattison Media file photo

By Liam Verster

Leon Ave. Closed

UPDATE: Downtown Kelowna road closed as police investigated suspicious device

Jan 7, 2025 | 3:18 PM

UPDATE: 10:30 a.m. Jan. 8

An area in downtown Kelowna was closed for several hours as police investigated a possible explosive device.

Kelowna RCMP received a report of a suspicious backpack possibly containing an improvised explosive device on Leon Avenue around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.

Police closed off the area and ordered people to shelter in place until the RCMP’s Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) could attend the scene.

The EDU arrived in kelowna around 9:20 p.m. and investigated the device, which was determined to not be explosive.

Leon Ave. Closed

UPDATE: Downtown Kelowna road closed as police investigated suspicious device

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The backpack was disposed of and the area was reopened shortly after to pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

The RCMP’s investigation into the report of a suspicious backpack and explosive device was ongoing as of Wednesday, Jan. 8.

— Original Story —

Kelowna RCMP closed off a portion of Leon Ave. in the downtown core after a suspicious backpack was reported in the area.

Police closed off the area around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7.

People where asked to avoid the area, and residents and workers were advised to shelter in place.

As of time of publication the incident was still unfolding, with the RCMP saying it would provide details when they become available.