Saanich businesses evacuated as man with airsoft gun arrested
A 19-year-old man was arrested early Monday morning and a business complex was briefly evacuated after police received a report of someone carrying a gun near Cedar Hill Middle School in Saanich, B.C.
Police say they received a report of a man walking on the field of the school with a gun around 6:10 a.m.
While officers were heading to the scene, police received an update saying that the man had pointed the gun at a passerby, and that he was walking towards a business complex at the intersection of Cedar Hill Road and McKenzie Avenue.
"Due to the concern for public safety, police closed down the immediate area to traffic and also evacuated persons inside the complex," said Saanich police in a release Monday.
Police say they found the suspect inside the parkade area of the building, and that he was carrying an airsoft gun that "looked identical to a real semi-automatic rifle."
He was arrested at the scene and is facing one count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
"Imitation firearms pose a significant risk to the public, as police treat them as real until proven otherwise," said Saanich police Const. Markus Anastasiades in a statement Monday.
"Imitation, airsoft, paintball or similar weapons should never be carried or used in public spaces," he added.
Police say the 19-year-old man is known to the department, and he remained in custody Monday morning.
While officers received a report that the man had been pointing the airsoft gun at bystanders, police say they do not believe he was seeking any specific person.
"While we are still working on why this man was walking around with a weapon in public, we have no information to suggest he was targeting any person or location," said Anastasiades.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
'Tactical evacuations' underway near Fort Nelson, B.C., as wildfires encroach
The BC Wildfire Service says 'tactical evacuations' began Friday near Fort Nelson, B.C., due to an out-of-control wildfire that has grown rapidly since it was discovered earlier in the afternoon.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.