7 charges laid against man who confronted CHEO staff with replica firearm

A police vehicle in front of CHEO after a lockdown was called off on March 22, 2025. (Joshua Marano/CTV News Ottawa)

A man in his 30s faces multiple charges after he allegedly confronted staff in the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario’s (CHEO) emergency department with a replica firearm, placing the hospital on lockdown over the weekend.

The Ottawa Police Service responded to reports of a man with a firearm inside the hospital at approximately 4:47 p.m. on Saturday.

According to police in a news release on Monday, the suspect was causing a disturbance inside the hospital and was asked to leave the property with the child they were accompanying in the care of another guardian.

Upon escorting the man to the parking lot, police say he “confronted” CHEO security staff with a firearm, which was later determined to be a fake.

CHEO initiated a code silver, which signifies an active attacker or a person with a weapon, and placed the hospital on lockdown.

There were no injuries reported.

After fleeing the area on foot, police say he was located by officers a short distance away and was arrested.

The man has been charged on multiple offences, including three counts of harassment by threatening conduct, carry concealed weapon, possess weapon dangerous to public peace, fail to comply with an undertaking and fail to comply with a release order.

Police did not release his name to protect the identity of the child he accompanied to CHEO.

Police say an investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be laid.