Written by Staff Writer by Matthew Balan, CNN
Canadian authorities have arrested a man they describe as acting erratically who fired shots near the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near downtown Vancouver on Sunday evening.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his support for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers involved, who had “courageously dedicated their lives to keeping us safe.”
“This situation was highly complex and dangerous, and the RCMP member who ultimately took the person into custody acted swiftly and bravely,” Trudeau said in a statement.
“The Government of Canada has been supporting and supporting the RCMP on this incident, and we will continue to do so,” he said.
According to CNN affiliate CTV, the man pulled out what appeared to be a gun and fired shots from a gun near the intersection of Robson and Granville in downtown Vancouver on Sunday evening.
The man, who was not identified, was later arrested in custody, according to CTV.
CNN
Although CNN is not releasing the man’s name, a Canadian police spokesman is doing so because the man has not been formally charged with any crime. The man is a 45-year-old from Abbotsford, British Columbia, a police spokesman said.
CNN is not identifying the man because this is Canada, where journalists and reporters are sometimes considered sensitive targets.
At press time, no casualties have been reported, a spokesman for B.C.’s police watchdog said.
Citizens in the area are being advised to shelter in place or stay indoors, Vancouver Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Jason Robillard said.