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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
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.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.