Handgun report prompts large police presence in downtown Guelph
A 35-year-old man was arrested at gunpoint Thursday in downtown Guelph.
Around 10:30 a.m., a caller told police a man flashed a gun while looking at him inside his place of work.
"[He] made eye contact and had in his hand on what appeared to be a firearm," said Scott Tracey, the media relations coordinator for Guelph police.
The caller also recognized the man from a previous altercation.
Officers arrived minutes later and located the man walking on Wyndham Street North.
What happened next was caught on camera by a passerby and later shared online.
Believing the man may be armed with a weapon, he was ordered to get on the ground at gunpoint.
Multiple officers and police cars surrounded the scene and the man was arrested without incident.
Police said a black and silver imitation gun was recovered.
"One of the most serious things that officers deal with, of course, is people armed with firearms," said Tracey. "When they receive a report of someone who possibly has a firearm, until they know otherwise, they have to treat it as if it is a real firearm and the intentions of the person with it are unknown, so it did elicit a large reponse. As the video that has become public [shows], officers can be seen with their own weapons drawn and that's to ensure their safety because they don't know if the firearm is real and, if so, what [the person] intends to do with it."
Police add that they found two Canadian passports on the man that they are believed to be stolen. He was also wanted by another police service outside of Guelph.
The 35-year-old man has been charged with assault with a weapon, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and possessing stolen identity documents.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.