City Hall lockdown
Man hides at City Hall after allegedly being threatened with a gun at the courthouse
Athreats complaint drew a heavy police presence to downtown Penticton early Wednesday and triggered a partial lockdown of City Hall.
Penticton RCMP spokesman Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth said two men got into a verbal dispute inside the courthouse around 10 a.m. while waiting to speak to a lawyer.
One of the men allegedly threatened the other with a gun, prompting the victim to run out of the courthouse and halfway up the 100 block of Main Street to City Hall, where he sought refuge.
Wrigglesworth said police caught up with the suspect soon after, but he was found to be in possession of knives only and was released without arrest.
Uniformed and plainclothes officers responded to the scene with at least six police vehicles. Wrigglesworth said the gun-related nature of the threat required a strong response.
City spokesman Mark Parker said the alleged victim remained inside City Hall until Mounties arrived.
During the incident, which lasted about 45 minutes, the main doors at City Hall were locked and staff members were posted there to explain the situation to any members of the public who were coming or going, according to Parker.
Those visiting City Hall were able to enter or leave at their own discretion, and business carried on inside.
Parker said the partial lockdown was required by a city policy dealing with external threats.
Similar precautions were taken in November 2015, when a disgruntled customer of the city electrical utility called in and threatened the lives of staff.
Michael Hibbert was later sentenced to two years’ probation for that offence, which court heard at the time was rooted in drug abuse and mental illness.