Police in Abbotsford responded early Tuesday morning (Aug. 22) to a report of a man with a gun passed out in the middle of a cul-de-sac, but the weapon turned out to be an airsoft pistol.
Const. Art Stele, media relations officers with the Abbotsford Police Department (APD), said police assistance was requested at around 6 a.m. by Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service and BC Ambulance.
First responders were in the 2100 block of Sandalwood Crescent to tend to the man, when they noticed he had what appeared to be a gun next to him.
Stele said officers arrived quickly on scene. He said the man, who was found not to be associated with any residence in the neighbourhood, appeared to be under the influence of drugs and was not responding to their commands.
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“The firearm was on the ground within reach of the male who, following loud and persistent commands by police, was able to come-to and follow the given commands,” Stele said.
He said the officers, who train in dealing with “high-risk dynamic calls” involving suspected guns, were able to approach the man safely and take him into custody.
Stele said the man’s weapon – discovered to be an airsoft pistol – was “almost identical” to a 9mm-calibre pistol.
The man is currently in police custody, but Stele said no charges are being considered at this point.
He said residents in the area commented on “how professional and safe” the officers were in handling the situation.
“Realistic, imitation firearms are another factor officers are being confronted on a day-to-day basis with, where split-second critical decisions have to be made to ensure the safety of our community as well as the safety of officers at these types of scenes,” Stele said.
vikki.hopes@abbynews.com
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