A Surrey man is being charged for wielding a sword in downtown Vancouver Monday afternoon.
The incident took place at 1:30 p.m. in front of hundreds of bystanders at the intersection of Burrard and Georgia.
Paramveer Singh Rarru allegedly began swinging a sword at the corner, charging at members of the crowd with it.
Police Tasered Rarru and shot him with a rubber bullet, both which failed to stop him. Police then tackled him and arrested him.
Rarru has been charged and remanded into custody and police have asked the courts to consider a psychological examination.
“Incidents like this can be unpredictable and events can unfold quickly. Our primary focus was the safety of all of the bystanders, police officers, and the man we were dealing with,” said Constable Lindsey Houghton, Vancouver Police Media Relations Officer. “Through the coordinated efforts of the Vancouver Police and Transit Police we were able to safely take the man into custody and prevent anyone from being hurt.”
Vancouver Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident that has yet to speak with police to contact them at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
