Vancouver elementary school locked down after "suspicious" man enters classroom

Nov 24 2020, 8:36 pm

Vancouver Police responded to a suspicious incident at McBride Elementary School Tuesday that resulted in the school going into lockdown.

According to police, the school’s principal called 911 at about 10 am to report that a man, unknown to the school, entered the building and walked into a classroom.

Police said the man “remained in the classroom even though several students were inside.”

The teachers “safely evacuated the classroom,” and then school staff initiated lockdown procedures” for the entire school to ensure the safety of staff and students.

“Coincidentally, when this call came in, the VPD’s School Liaison officers were running lockdown training and drills at nearby Killarney Secondary School,” said VPD Const. Tania Visintin. “As such, they arrived on scene within minutes.”

Police were able to confine the man in the classroom and then arrest him without incident.

“As stressful and frightening as this was, school staff and administration did a great job of following the procedures and keeping the students safe,” said Visintin. “We commend them for their quick thinking and calm, measured approach. Thankfully, this incident was resolved safely.”

The 32-year-old man was apprehended by police under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for psychiatric assessment.

Eric ZimmerEric Zimmer

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