A coordinated police response unfolded in Langford on Saturday evening after a man barricaded himself inside a home at the Hidden Valley Mobile Home Park on Florence Lake Road.
Just before 5 p.m. on February 15th, West Shore RCMP, along with the Vancouver Island RCMP Emergency Response Team and Crisis Negotiators, responded to the situation involving an adult man.
In a media release, West Shore RCMP said officers established a large perimeter and advised nearby residents to remain indoors while officers worked to resolve the situation safely.
The suspect was eventually taken into custody without further incident. However, during the standoff, misinformation spread on social media, causing some residents to leave their homes prematurely.
“Last night, some residents began coming out of their homes after a misleading post on social media had wrongly informed people that the incident was over, while it was still ongoing,” said Constable Gabriel Gravel, Media Relations Officer with West Shore RCMP.
“Incidents like this can unfold quickly and it is vitally important to follow police direction to maintain public safety. We appreciate the response from the public that cooperated with police direction.”
The suspect is now in police custody, and West Shore RCMP have assured the public that there is no further risk to the community. Residents may still notice an ongoing police presence in the area as investigators remain on scene.
As the investigation continues, police said no further details have been released at this time.
