'I was legitimately terrified': Encampment resident recounts armed police response
What ended up being a false alarm saw Waterloo regional police respond to a weapons call at a Kitchener encampment with guns drawn on Saturday.
A video of the incident shared with CTV News shows two officers walking through the camp with their guns pointed in the same direction. A third officer holds a shield in front of them.
Police said officers were called to the site around 4 p.m. Saturday, after a security guard working there reported a gun was used during a fight.
Police said officers identified the person in question, but after further investigation, no weapons were found and no arrests were made.
“There was something really crazy about actually seeing guns in my neighbourhood in Kitchener,” Edwin Finch, who recorded the video, told CTV News. “Especially at an encampment that’s been pretty peaceful and calm.”
An encampment resident, who said he was one of the people in the tent police were focused on, described the situation as frightening and "like a war zone."
“I was actually legitimately terrified,” said James David. “Not of being arrested, because I didn’t do anything, I was just terrified of – I mean there was an assault rifle with a laser pointed at me… barking orders that I don’t even know what the hell is going on in the first place.”
“So I’m trying to keep my bipolar in check because they’re just doing their jobs and we have to respect each other,” David continued.
“In the heated moment like that, I’m surprised my bipolar didn’t get me shot.”
Despite the ordeal, Davis said he’s grateful an officer respectfully explained what was going on saying it helped him stay calm.
“I’m thankful they did,” he said. “But other than that, it was unnecessary.”
Advocates of unhoused people say interaction like these with police can be traumatic.
“I just want people to know that that’s not indicative of the people that are living here,” said Julie Sawatzky with 519 Community Collective. “People don’t have guns and knifes and all kinds of weapons hiding in their tent ready to get people walking by.”
'HIGH PRIORITY' RESPONSE
In a media release, Waterloo regional police said given the type of disturbance call they received, they "responded with high priority due to public safety concerns and to ensure the safety of those in the immediate area."
Police said no one was hurt in the incident.
CTV News asked police for an interview on Monday, no one was available to comment on-camera but police provided an emailed statement.
They said upon arrival at the camp, officers were able to quickly identify the subject, establish communication and bring a peaceful end to the incident.
“In any situation where a firearm is believed to be involved, the priority of our officers is to always de-escalate the situation to ensure public safety,” police said in the statement, in part.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.