A sighting of a man with a firearm sparked a seven-hour standoff in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood on the weekend.
New Westminster police have now confirmed to the New West Record that “multiple” replica firearms were seized from the residence.
“The suspect is an adult who is known to police,” the NWPD said in a Jan. 20 statement to the Record.
According to the police department, the Crisis Negotiator Team and the Integrated Emergency Response Team were both called to the scene to assist New Westminster Police Department officers.
An NWPD news release said police were responding to an unrelated call for service in the 700-block of Queens Avenue about 2 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18 when an officer saw a male exiting a residence with a firearm.
“Police called out to the suspect who went back inside the residence and would not acknowledge patrol members attempts to negotiate his surrender,” said the news release. “Due to the suspect refusing to exit the residence, the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team was deployed to assist with the arrest.”
Area residents posted videos on social meeting showing police using a loudspeaker to tell the man to exit the building. Others reported hearing flash bangs going off early on Saturday morning.
According to the NWPD, the suspect was located inside the residence at approximately 9 a.m. and was taken into custody without incident.
“We’re still in the early stages of this investigation, but there is no ongoing risk to the public,” NWPD Sgt. Andrew Leaver said in a Jan. 18 news release. “The suspect is in custody.”
The New Westminster Police Department thanked neighbours in the area for their patience as police worked to locate and arrest the suspect.
