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Saanich police, tactical team search for gun at apartment building — but find none

A tactical team and Saanich police spent hours looking for a gun at an apartment building on Vernon Avenue on Friday, only to find there was no weapon.

A tactical team and Saanich police spent hours looking for a gun at an apartment building on Vernon Avenue on Friday, only to find there was no weapon.

“We take all calls where someone’s safety may be at risk very seriously and will use whatever resources we have available to determine what has happened and to bring things to a safe conclusion,” said Saanich police spokeswoman Sgt. Julie Fast.

“We are now satisfied that there was no one with a weapon of any kind in or around this apartment building.”

Saanich police were called to an apartment building at 880 Vernon Ave., near Saanich Road and across from the Save-on-Foods grocery store, about 7 a.m. Friday.

A man in the hallway was heard talking about someone having a gun, which prompted calls to 911 and the fire alarm being pulled, Fast said.

Due to the serious nature of the call and to protect public safety, specialized police resources were called in to assist, including the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team, a canine team, the B.C. Ambulance Service and the Saanich Fire Department.

“The building was locked down while officers conducted an extensive search, with residents either directed to leave or shelter in place,” Fast said.

Police advised motorists and residents to avoid the area.

While the search was underway, a construction crew working on the exterior of the apartment was on the sidewalk, waiting to get to work. One worker said a man in a bathrobe was taken into an unmarked police car and police were trying to gain access to an apartment suite.

Fast said information led officers to focus on a particular apartment. However, “no one and nothing of concern was found” in the search.

One man was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for assessment.

Residents returned to their homes and all lanes on Vernon Avenue had reopened by noon.

ceharnett@timescolonist.com

kderosa@timescolonist.com