RCMP are warning the public to stand back during tense situations, after arresting a man at gunpoint in Duncan Friday.
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP say while patrolling the city’s Christmas light-up celebration, a group of teens ran towards some officers after spotting a man armed with a knife.
All of the officers working headed towards the ally the man was spotted in, near the crowds. Police say they arrived to find a heavier set man in his mid-thirties.
RCMP then say the man would not comply with officers, and pulled out 12-inch long knife and pointed it at them.
An officer on the scene pulled his pistol out, and the man started to comply.
He was arrested without incident. During the arrest police say members of the public were crowding near the scene, and some were yelling at officers saying they were using excessive force.
“When [the public] see a situation like that, as we are pointing firearms and de-escalating a situation, we need space,” said Sgt. Trevor Busch.
“The public may not understand the situation at the time, policing is dangerous… it was a very dangerous situation due to the number of bystanders around.”
Officers say members of the public should calmly leave the area when an incident like that occurs.
Busch says he is glad no-one was hurt.
“I think it is a very positive outcome, officers followed their training well,” he said.
RCMP say there is no clear motive behind the incident, but is forwarding charges for possessing weapon for dangerous purpose and concealing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
CHEK News
