ON March 1 at at approximately 8 a.m., New Westminster Police Department officers were called to the Royal Columbian Hospital when staff observed what they believed was a firearm in the waistband of the pants of a man waiting for treatment.

Officers rushed to the hospital and secured the area while staff moved other patients to other locations in the hospital. The man with the firearm was safely taken into custody.

“Having a person bring to a gun to an emergency department is a high-risk situation,” said Sgt. Sanjay Kumar. “Thankfully no one was hurt. We want to extend our appreciation to the observant staff at the hospital who made the call to us. Since the arrest, the firearm has been determined to be a BB gun and our members are trying to determine the motive for such a weapon to be brought into a hospital.”

Charges against the suspect are being considered. Any witnesses that have yet to speak to NWPD investigators are asked to call 604-525-5411.