Man arrested after lockdown at hospital in B.C.’s Fraser Valley, police say

A man has been arrested following a tense police incident that forced a lockdown at a hospital in B.C.’s Fraser Valley on Monday.

Police swarmed Abbotsford Regional Hospital around 2 p.m. after the local department says it received a report of a man “believed to be in possession of a firearm” inside the building.

The Abbotsford Police Department said all available officers, totalling more than 30, and police dogs entered the hospital and searched room-to-room and floor-by-floor.

The lockdown was lifted after officers performed a full search of the premises, around 3:15 p.m.

After speaking to witnesses and viewing hospital surveillance video, police identified a suspect, who had left the hospital.  

“Officers immediately began tracking the suspect’s movements throughout the city and located him at approximately 2:49 p.m. in the area of Simon Avenue and Cruickshank Street, where he was arrested without incident,” a statement from the department reads.

Police confirmed no one was injured during the incident and no shots were fired, “contrary to reports circulating on social media.” The hospital has returned to normal operations.

“The AbbyPD extends its appreciation to hospital staff for their professionalism and dedication in keeping patients and visitors safe during the incident,” the statement continues. “We also wish to thank the public for their patience and co-operation as officers worked to resolve the situation safely.”

A patient who was inside the hospital at the time told CTV News the situation was announced over the speaker system as a Code Silver, which means “active attacker,” and that even those who had finished with their treatment were ordered to stay inside.

Fraser Health told CTV News that paramedics diverted three patients during the lockdown, but declined to say where they were sent instead of Abbotsford Regional Hospital due to privacy.

The incident remains under investigation and police asked anyone with information to call 604-859-5225.

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Michele Brunoro