Police shoot man in Gastown after reports he had a weapon (PHOTOS)

There was a massive police presence in Gastown Monday night after an officer shot and injured a man following reports he had a weapon.

Police vehicles were lined up on West Cordova Street, and officers cordoned off the intersection of Cambie and Cordova streets — near Waterfront station.

Daily Hive

Daily Hive

Daily Hive

Metro Vancouver Transit Police confirmed the shooting happened in the 300 block of Cambie Street just after 10 pm.

“Officers responded to reports of a man with a weapon. When they arrived on scene, the man was still in possession of that weapon and during the interaction, he was shot by officers,” Const. Amanda Steed told Daily Hive.

The 38-year-old man was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries. He remains in custody.

Vancouver police say he allegedly assaulted several strangers before brandishing the weapon. He allegedly slapped a woman, assaulted a cyclist, and then tried to attack someone walking with a group outside Nester’s Market. Finally, the man allegedly tried to start a fight near the Metropole Pub, and revealed the weapon before being confronted by police.

Police have not given details about what the weapon was.

“Witnesses reported seeing the man with a weapon, but we are not going to disclose what that was at this stage of the investigation because we do not want to influence any statements from people who have yet to come forward,” Sgt. Steve Addison told Daily Hive.

The Independent Investigations Office of BC, a watchdog that looks into all deaths and serious injuries involving police in the province, is looking into what happened.

Anyone with information or video footage of the incident to please contact the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.