The handgun that prompted an evacuation of a Nanaimo shopping mall was an imitation gun, Nanaimo RCMP say.
At about 5:20 p.m. Monday, police received a report of a male youth with a gun at Woodgrove mall.
Mall security reported the youth pulled the handgun from his waistband while inside the building. Police said his exact location was unknown and his intentions were unclear.
When officers arrived, they locked down the mall, and removed employees and customers while trying to locate the youth.
He was apprehended about 6:30 p.m. in a different location and an imitation handgun was recovered. The mall reopened about 7 p.m. and buses to the area resumed regular service.
The youth was held in custody for a court appearance on allegations of possessing an imitation weapon.
