Officers of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) apprehended an armed man in crisis Thursday afternoon, after he had barricaded himself indoors.
At approximately 10 a.m. Thursday morning, officers were called to a suite in a multi-unit temporary housing facility in the 1900-block of Douglas Street for a report of a man armed with a knife who was threatening to kill himself.
UPDATE | Officers remain on scene for a police incident in the 1900-blk of Douglas St. #yyjtraffic remains closed on Chatham St, between Douglas St & Government St. Please continue to avoid the area. https://t.co/dOuznindii
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) March 10, 2022
Officers attempted to communicate with the man through the door of his suite, however, he refused to surrender to police.
GVERT, including crisis negotiators, attended and negotiated with the man for nearly four hours.
At one point during the interaction, a loud distraction device as well as a less-lethal ARWEN plastic round was deployed.
At approximately 3 p.m., the man exited the suite and GVERT officers apprehended him under the Mental Health Act.
The man was transported to hospital for a mental health assessment.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the B.C. Crisis Centre Distress Line number at 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2433.
