Police lock down Nanaimo hospital
A lockdown at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital today ended without incident, according to RCMP Sgt. Sheryl Armstrong.
“On Aug. 26, at approximately 5:10 p.m., Nanaimo Regional General Hospital called the Nanaimo RCMP to report they had received a threat against the hospital and they believed there may be some credibility to the threat,” she said. “Acting on an abundance of caution, the decision was made to lock down the hospital. RCMP officers blocked off all entrances to the hospital and no one was allowed to enter or leave, however ambulances were able to access the emergency ward.
She said police located the suspect several kilometres from the hospital.
“He was on foot and he was arrested without incident at approximately 5:54 p.m.,” she said. “He did not have a weapon on his person when he was arrested.
“A 39-year-old Nanaimo resident is presently in police custody. The investigation is continuing.
“Nanaimo RCMP would like to thank Nanaimo Regional General Hospital staff, patients and visitors for their cooperation during this incident.”