Date:      Thursday, August 12, 2021

File:        21-32581

Victoria, BC – Patrol officers arrested a man at gunpoint in Beacon Hill Park yesterday after he threatened people with a knife at a popular beach.

Patrol officers rushed to Beacon Hill Park near Finlayson Point just after 5 p.m. yesterday after several people called 911 to report that a man armed with a knife was threatening people on the beach.

Officers arrived and located the man in the park near Finlayson Point. He was taken into custody at gunpoint. Officers searched the man and located the knife and drugs.

Officers learned that the man had specifically targeted a person on the beach, threatening to stab them. The suspect also threatened to harm others there. The victims and the suspect were not known to each other. The targeted victim and another person both armed themselves with sticks for protection while others nearby retreated and called 911. No one was physically injured in the incident.

The suspect was transported to cells where he was held for morning court.

The man faces recommended assault with a weapon, uttering threats and drugs possession charges.

If you have information about this incident and have not yet spoken with officers, please call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1. To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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