A report of a man with a firearm that closed down a Port Alberni neighbourhood on Friday, March 5 turned out to be a man with a BB gun.
Port Alberni RCMP received a call just after noon about a man with a firearm in the 3600-block of Anderson Avenue. They quickly shut down the neighbourhood, asking people to stay in their residences and avoid the area.
Police quickly located and arrested the man without incident, located the firearm and determined it to be a BB gun.
The suspect was taken to the RCMP detachment and later released without charges.
“We want the public to know that we take all reports involving firearms very seriously,” said Port Alberni RCMP detachment commander Inspector Eric Rochette. “In this circumstance it was quickly determined to be an air gun, and fortunately no one was injured.”
Rochette thanked the public for their understanding and patience during the incident, which lasted about an hour. Police encourage the safe and responsible use of pellet and BB guns.
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