An armed confrontation in a Metro Vancouver park involving a distraught male ended peacefully after four hours.
The incident began at approximately 11:50 a.m. on Sept. 30 in Lions Park, located in Port Coquitlam, when police received a report about a distraught male.
Coquitlam RCMP said the report suggested the male was armed with a knife and was also possibly armed with a firearm.
Frontline officers with the Coquitlam RCMP arrived on the scene, locating the man on a supporting structure of the Kingsway Bridge. Port Coquitlam bylaw enforcement officers assisted the RCMP to secure the area and to “ensure public safety.”
Due to the “elevated risk,” the response was a coordinated effort with many teams involved, including the Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team.
Prolonged negotiations with the male were needed to bring the situation to a safe conclusion.
Over four hours after the 11:50 a.m. report, at 4 p.m., the male was taken into custody without incident.
“He was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to hospital for assessment and care. A knife was recovered from the scene.”
Inspector and Coquitlam RCMP Operations Officer Todd Balaban thanked the officers, first responders, and community partners who were involved in the response for their efforts in bringing the situation to a safe and peaceful resolution.
“This incident is a strong reminder of how important teamwork, patience, and compassion are during a crisis,” Balaban said.