More than a dozen RCMP vehicles, a SWAT team and an ambulance have lined up along Gilley Road at Westminster Highway in east Richmond after a "weapons call" came in on Thursday afternoon.
Richmond RCMP said they received the call around 5:15 p.m. from a citizen in the 22600 block of Gilley Road.
"Upon further investigation, the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team was requested to attend," said Sgt. Kyle Simpson, spokesperson for the Richmond RCMP.
"In order to ensure public safety, Gilley Road has been closed to traffic and the public is being requested to stay out of the area."
Sounds of either "flash bangs" or gunshots could be heard in the neighbourhood since 7 p.m., according to Facebook posts by Hamilton residents.
Caner Altuntas, a Hamilton resident, told the Richmond News that a couple people in the neighbourhood claim to have spotted a man carrying firearms in the area and had called the police after feeling "threatened" at the sight.
“The man went back into his house near the townhouse complex on Gilley Road before the cops came out,” said Caneraltuntas, adding that more police cars appeared when the man refused to come out of his residence.
“This is the first time that something like this has happened in Hamilton. It’s a surprise because you’d never expect it to happen here and it’s quite scary.”
Richmond RCMP is not releasing further information at this time.
