Police arrested and then later released a 21-year-old man after witnesses reported he was in possession of a handgun.
It was, however, a fake gun.
The incident happened yesterday, January 13, at approximately 5:30 p.m, when West Vancouver Police was called to Park Royal Mall after store security saw a man taking a handgun out of his jacket and placing it into a bag.
Multiple officers attended and took the man into custody at gun point without incident. Police later determined that no criminal offence was committed and he was was released at scene without charges.
“All weapons-related calls are taken seriously and will elicit a significant police response,” says Cst. Braithwaite. “Our police officers will treat every firearm as real until they can prove they are not.”
Police say the fake gun the man had was almost indistinguishable from a real firearm.
