Victoria, BC – Investigators are looking to speak with witnesses, including the person who made the first report, after an incident involving a replica handgun resulted in the arrests of four youths and one man in the 800-block of Humbolt Street yesterday.
Officers were called to a park in the 800-block of Humbolt just after 2 pm yesterday when witnesses reported seeing a young woman with what appeared to be a handgun. Officers surrounded the park, cleared the area of innocent bystanders, and then challenged the group, who were taken into custody at gunpoint. At that point officers discovered that the handgun one of the group was carrying was a convincing replica. A photo of the seized handgun is below. When asked why they had the replica handgun, one of the group indicated that it was specifically purchased to “scare people.”
The youths involved in the file were released into the custody of their parents and guardians. One adult male was released on a promise to appear on as officers recommended charges of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
As our investigation continues officers are looking to speak with witnesses, especially those on scene at the time who left without providing contact information. If you have information about the incident and have not yet spoken to our investigators, or if you spoke with officers on the scene, but departed without providing our officers your contact information, you are asked to call our non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654. You can report what you know anonymously by calling Greater Victoria CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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