Police Arrest One Person Following Complaints of a Person Pointing a Firearm at Passersby

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 9, 2026 
File: 26-9478  

Victoria, B.C. – The Victoria Police Department arrested a person Saturday, March 7, 2026 following a public complaint about a person pointing a handgun in the 600 block of View Street. 

The call for assistance came in around 5:20 p.m. and was classified as “high risk” given it was occurring in a densely populated area of Victoria’s downtown core. As a result, VicPD officers and members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team deployed to the scene. 

Upon arrival, police issued several commands to the suspect. The individual did not listen to the instructions, leading to the deployment of two less-lethal impact projectiles, ARWEN rounds. The person was then taken into custody.

Once in custody, officers determined the handgun that was reported by the public turned out to be a lighter. 

 The person was taken to hospital, where they refused treatment for minor injuries, and was subsequently released from custody. No criminal charges are being requested at this time. 

The matter has been reported to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner as mandated under the Police Act in cases involving injury.