Date: Monday, October 21, 2024
File: 24-38631
Victoria, B.C. – Central Middle School was placed in “lockdown” today when an unknown 40-year-old male entered the building and exhibited concerning behavior within the school.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. this afternoon, VicPD received multiple calls from within the school regarding an unknown male who had entered the school. As part of the school’s emergency procedures, the school was placed into “lockdown” by school staff.
Within minutes, Patrol officers and members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team (GVERT) were on scene. Officers quickly located the suspect, who appeared to be in a drug-induced state, in the school library. The male resisted arrest, prompting the use of a conductive energy weapon (CEW), commonly known as a taser. The male was then taken into custody and medically assessed by BC Emergency Health Services in VicPD cells, where he is currently being held.
The suspect was safely in police custody within five minutes of VicPD receiving the call.
The suspect was not armed. No students or staff were injured, and there are no continuing concerns for the safety of students or staff at Central Middle School or the nearby community.
“Our thoughts are with the students, faculty and staff who experienced this distressing incident today,” said Chief Del Manak. “Schools should be safe environments for learning, and incidents like this have no place in our schools. I’m proud of our officers and their quick response today, and grateful that this situation was resolved without harm to anyone involved.”
Further details are not available at this time.
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