VicPD and GVERT engage in armed standoff in James Bay on Monday Morning

VicPD and the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) responded to a serious call on the morning of Victoria Day in James Bay.

Residents of the Lord and Lady Simcoe apartment buildings at 440 Simcoe Street took photos and videos of the situation unfolding before their eyes. 

Police arrived at around 8 a.m. and had the area closed off until near 11 a.m. and asked residents to remain in their units while they dealt with the situation. 

According to VicPD, two individuals had gained access to an area of the building that was meant only for construction workers and they appeared to be impaired. 

Police say the report they received claimed that the two suspects had a handgun on them. 

Several police cars and officers with long-barreled and automatic rifles gathered in their parking lot and surrounded the building in order to deal with the situation. 

Witness reports say there were police dog units, a bomb squad unit and drone surveillance devices on hand throughout the situation. 

Police took two suspects into custody without incident and VicPD transported the individuals to VicPD cells.

According to VicPD, the handgun that was reported to them turned out to be an airsoft rifle.