An incident between two 18-year-olds in the Royal Oak neighbourhood Thursday afternoon led to a brief lockdown of a nearby middle school.
Around 2 p.m. Saanich police were notified that an 18-year-old man threatened to harm another man with a collapsible baton at Broadmead Plaza.
While police were able to initially locate the suspect nearby, he fled on foot through the residential neighbourhood.
Police notified staff at Royal Oak middle school of the possible threat, resulting in the school being locked down for approximately 15 minutes.
“We did not have information that the suspect would go to the school. However, given that the suspect was believed to be in possession of a weapon, and that he was actively evading police and heading in the direction of the school, it was determined that, out of an abundance of caution, that the school should be notified of the possible threat,” Sgt. Steve Eassie said in a release.
The 18-year-old suspect was eventually located on a B.C. Transit bus.
Eassie said clothing the man was wearing at the time of the incident, as well as the baton, were abandoned somewhere in the Royal Oak neighbourhood.
Police are considering charges of Uttering Threats, Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, and Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.
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