Vancouver police said officers responded to multiple 911 calls from staff and a social worker at the hospital who reported a woman acting in a threatening manner and holding a gun. “The suspect was in close proximity to staff, babies and at least one other pregnant woman,” said Sgt. Steve Addison told CTV News in an email. “It was reported that the suspect was trying to break into the preschool with a knife. It was also reported that the suspect had run into a staff member with a gun in her hand.” Several staff members “barricaded themselves in baby rooms” during the incident, Addison added. Officers arrived and shot the woman with beans, who was taken from the hospital under restraints and attended by paramedics outside. BC Women’s Hospital confirmed that no one was seriously injured during the tense situation. “Our officers’ actions safely resolved a volatile and frightening situation without harming innocent people,” Addison said. Police said the suspect was not holding a knife when they arrived, but was holding a different, unknown type of weapon. Few details of what led to the altercation have been confirmed. The hospital said it could not share more information. “We want to reassure the public that this incident has been contained and that our campus continues to be safe and secure for patients, their families, staff and visitors,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We are offering support to those involved.” Angela Marie MacDougall, executive director of Battered Women’s Support Services, told CTV News that she believes the patient was a new mother and vulnerable person who may have been concerned about custody of her child. MacDougall said she has not yet been able to confirm that information. He also wondered if the situation could not be resolved through de-escalation tactics. “I’ve dealt with a lot of really upset women, for all kinds of reasons, who may or may not have guns,” she said. “If you know what you’re doing, you can de-escalate with words. You absolutely can.” MacDougall described the police use of bean bags inside the hospital as “disturbing” and said her organization was working to connect the woman with legal aid. Asked if there was an attempt to de-escalate the situation before using force, Vancouver police said crisis negotiators were sent to the hospital, but authorities believed there was an “imminent threat” to staff, patients and babies. “When our officers arrived, they encountered the suspect. She was still a danger to herself and others. Our officers were unable to get close enough to take custody of the woman using only physical force,” Addison said. Authorities said the suspect was arrested for assault, possession of a weapon and a probation violation.
