Upwards of 20 Nanaimo RCMP officers descended on Woodgrove Shopping Centre Monday night and evacuated the mall. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Spencer Sterritt

Fake gun

Fake gun sparked Woodgrove Shopping Centre evacuation

Jul 16, 2019 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — The incredible scene at Woodgrove Shopping Centre late Monday afternoon was sparked by a male youth with an imitation firearm.

Nanaimo RCMP Sgt. Jon Stuart confirmed Tuesday the suspect reportedly pulled a handgun out of his waistband while in the mall around 5:20 p.m.

Woodgrove was quickly evacuated while police officers searched the centre with weapons drawn.

The suspect was last seen entering the Avalon Theatre-area of the mall, which was searched before officers fanned out throughout the rest of building.

Hundreds of employees and shoppers nervously filled the parking lots as they watched armed officers patrol and guard the normally-quiet shopping centre.

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Stuart said officers discovered the identity of the suspect and found him at an alternate location around 6:30 p.m.

“It’s unsure exactly when he left, whether it was prior to police arriving or during the evacuation,” Stuart said.

An imitation firearm was recovered during the investigation after the suspect was found.

The suspect appeared in court Tuesday morning. He faces a possession of an imitation weapon charge. Crown counsel is considering other charges, including theft.

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