Assault suspect arrested after large police presence shuts down Victoria street
A man is in police custody after an incident that shut down a downtown Victoria street and drew heavily armed "emergency response team" officers to the scene.
Patrol officers were called to the 700-block of Pandora Avenue shortly before 1 p.m. to arrest a man who is a suspect in an assault investigation, according to a news release from the Victoria Police Department.
The man refused to be arrested and barricaded himself inside his suite, police said. Neighbours told CTV News Vancouver Island the man was barricaded inside an apartment in the Cool Aid Society's supportive housing building.
Just before 5 p.m., officers taped off a section of Pandora Avenue between Douglas and Blanshard streets. Heavily armed police officers could be seen patrolling the blocked off road.
Police said officers spent several hours unsuccessfully negotiating with the man. Eventually, the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team "used irritant gas to assist in arresting the man," police said.
Officers at the scene could be seen donning gas masks and telling the public to move back as they prepared to use the gas.
Around 6 p.m., police said the situation had resolved and reopened the street to traffic.
Police said the man was taken into custody without further incident and without injury. He is a suspect in an investigation into an assault causing bodily harm and an assault by choking, police said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.