RCMP websites down as Anonymous vows to avenge Dawson Creek death
Trouble getting on main site due to maintenance, spokesperson said
Some RCMP websites appeared to go offline on Sunday but it's unclear if the online activist group Anonymous had anything to do with it.
Yesterday Anonymous vowed to target the force after an RCMP-involved shooting in Dawson Creek, B.C. on Thursday left one man dead.
The websites for both the B.C. and Dawson Creek RCMP, and the force's main site, were inaccessible for many people on Sunday.
- Anonymous vows to avenge Dawson Creek shooting
- IIOBC releases scene of fatal shooting
- Witness says man refused to throw knife away before being shot by police
Today the group posted messages on some Twitter accounts noting the problems, but did not appear to claim responsibility.
RT Anons4justice: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TangoDown?src=hash">#TangoDown</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnonDown?src=hash">#AnonDown</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RCMP?src=hash">#RCMP</a> <a href="http://t.co/oQKeUCjAXh">http://t.co/oQKeUCjAXh</a> <a href="http://t.co/MkezYw4Dzx">http://t.co/MkezYw4Dzx</a> YourAnonNews YourAn… <a href="http://t.co/t6Pk7pVQJE">pic.twitter.com/t6Pk7pVQJE</a>
—@CovertAnonymousA spokesperson with RCMP headquarters in Ottawa said any problems with the force's website were due to maintenance issues.
The RCMP said it was not familiar with any threats made by Anonymous and that the group had nothing to do with the website being down.
However, Mounties in B.C. said they were aware of Anonymous's tweets and are reviewing them, as is B.C's Independent Investigations Office, which has taken over the Dawson Creek investigation.
On social media, users who claim to be part of the online group say the man killed in Dawson Creek was affiliated with Anonymous. Meanwhile the BC Coroners Service said the earliest it will release the victim's identity is tomorrow.