‘No imminent threat to public safety’ after man with large knife reported on U of Manitoba campus
Police in Winnipeg said there is no longer a threat to public safety after reports of a man with a knife at the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus on Tuesday.
“We can confirm that we received information of a male armed with a large knife in a building on campus. Resources including the Tactical Support Team, Canine, and multiple General Patrol Units attended and searched the building and immediate areas. No suspect was located,” Cst. Claude Chancy said in a statement over email to the National Post, adding that there were no injuries.
“It has been determined that there is no longer a threat to public safety. Members of the Tactical Safety team remain on scene as a precaution and the Major Crimes Unit has been tasked to investigate.”
Winnipeg police also posted on their X account around 11:30 a.m. ET to say the incident was resolved.
The university said in an email to the National Post that they would be “following the Winnipeg Police Services lead today.”
“If you are on campus, remain where you are, stay in place, and lock all doors. If you are not on campus, please do not come to campus. All classes, exams and events have been cancelled for the remainder of the day,” the university said, adding that “all virtual classes and those located on the Bannatyne campus will continue for the day.”
The university has not said whether or not classes will resume after the incident was resolved later Tuesday morning.
“We do want to provide that public advisory to make sure people are aware we are looking for this male, he is armed with a knife, and to be diligent and to be careful about their surroundings right now,” said Chancy.
The man was last spotted near the Allen Building, which was “locked down” while police were at the scene, Chancy said, per CBC News. He added that police were aware that the building “has a system of underground corridors.”
‘Civil emergency’ alert issued
A civil emergency alert was issued at 9:27 a.m., according to Alertable, a website that shows alerts from across the country. The alert on Tuesday morning by the Manitoba Emergency Management Organization was deemed “critical” by the site.
Other alert types that Alert Ready broadcasts include fire, biological (for example, contaminated drinking water), hazardous, environmental (like poor air quality), natural (a weather event) or national security (like a terrorist threat.)
“Only authorized government agencies can issue alerts. Together, government officials developed a specific list of the types of alerts that are considered a threat to life,” per Alert Ready.
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