UPDATE: It turned out that an individual thought to have locked himself inside a Chase River home was not found there, but police say the public is not at risk and lockdowns in the area have been lifted.

Reserve Const. Gary O鈥橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, said emergency response team members entered the Cranberry Road residence and did not locate a person inside.

RCMP are still looking for that person, but are not asking for the public鈥檚 assistance at this time.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not an active investigation, but we certainly would like to make contact with that person,鈥� O鈥橞rien said.

PREVIOUSLY POSTED: A daycare centre in Chase River is in lockdown as a man in a nearby residence has locked himself in and may have firearms.

Reserve Const. Gary O鈥橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, said a person is having a mental health crisis in the Cranberry Road area and there is a risk to himself and potentially the public. The man is known to police, leading to concern that there may be firearms in the residence.

鈥淲e have that home secured,鈥� O鈥橞rien told the News Bulletin. 鈥淲e are fully aware [BGC Central Vancouver Island] is directly across the street from the home. We have that in a lockdown capacity, as well as the Cranberry firehall, which is directly beside the residence also.鈥�

He said the emergency response team is on scene and no traffic is being allowed 鈥渋n and around鈥� the area. An RCMP helicopter is also there. A negotiator in en route, police said. The man is believed to be the lone person in the residence.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no understanding on my part that there鈥檚 anybody else in the house besides that adult man,鈥� O鈥橞rien said.

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鈥� Chris Bush (@ChrisBushphotog)

As the situation is emerging, he asks people avoid the area.

鈥淣o lookie-loos please,鈥� said O鈥橞rien. 鈥淭his is not the time, and when it鈥檚 resolved we鈥檒l let [people] know.鈥�

Cranberry Road is closed at the intersection with the Trans-Canada Highway and highway traffic is moving slowly.

An RCMP heli is on scene at Cranberry Road as RCMP are dealing with a situation with an individual in crisis who may have access to a gun鈥�

鈥� Nanaimo Bulletin (@NanaimoBulletin)

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Due to a police incident, Route 7 buses will not be servicing past South Gate Plaza at this time.

鈥� RDN_Transit (@RDN_Transit)

karl.yu@nanaimobulletin.com
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