The Burnaby RCMP is asking the public to avoid the Metrotown area after an afternoon of bedlam Metropolis at Metrotown mall and the SkyTrain station next door.
At 6:30 p.m., Burnaby RCMP said the mall would stay closed for the evening after the Emergency Response Team was called in after reports of either a pipe bomb or shots fired.
"The threat that caused the evacuation today is believed to be unfounded," Burnaby RCMP tweeted.
Around 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1, the Burnaby RCMP advised people to avoid "Metrotown Station and the surrounding area, including the mall, due to a police incident."
The detachment added that officers were on scene assisting Metro Vancouver Transit Police.
TransLink stated that Metrotown Station is closed due to the incident and that commuters should expect delays. Trains are being turned around to westbound at Patterson and to eastbound at Royal Oak Stations.
Please avoid Metrotown Station and the surrounding area, including the mall, due to a police incident.
— Burnaby RCMP (@BurnabyRCMP) October 1, 2021
Our officers are on scene assisting @TransitPolice. https://t.co/YM7QfZkBnF
Around 3:30 p.m., Burnaby RCMP stated that officers were evacuating the mall and conducting a grid search. The detachment noted that there are "unconfirmed reports of shots being fired" as well as "unconfirmed reports of a pipe bomb." It is unclear if these two reports are related.
Burnaby RCMP is on scene at Metrotown, assisting with evacuating the mall and conducting a grid search.
— Burnaby RCMP (@BurnabyRCMP) October 1, 2021
There are unconfirmed reports of shots being fired. The mall is being searched. There are no known injuries.
We are asking people to avoid the area.
In addition, @TransitPolice have also closed Metrotown Station for unconfirmed reports of a pipe bomb. Unclear if the two investigations are related.
— Burnaby RCMP (@BurnabyRCMP) October 1, 2021
Please avoid the area.
We will provide updates as soon we can confirm more information.
At 3:45 p.m., the Burnaby RCMP said on social media that there is "no evidence of an active threat or any injuries."
An investigation continues.
We appreciate everyone's co-operation as our officers work to make sure everyone at Metrotown is safe.
— Burnaby RCMP (@BurnabyRCMP) October 1, 2021
So far, there is no evidence of an active threat or any injuries.
We are still investigating and we are still asking people to avoid the Metrotown area.
Metrotown Station has been cleared, however the station remains closed.
— Burnaby RCMP (@BurnabyRCMP) October 1, 2021
Police remain inside the mall doing a search related to unconfirmed reports of shots fired.
There are no reported injuries, and there is no evidence of an active threat. We are ensuring the area is safe. https://t.co/3vnfvaWgW5
Burnaby RCMP tells Vancouver Is Awesome that officers are currently responding to "unconfirmed reports of shots fired at Metropolis at Metrotown" but no evidence of an active threat has been found.
"The mall has been evacuated and officers remain on scene doing a search and ensuring the area is safe. We thank the public for their cooperation and are continuing to ask people to avoid the area," states the detachment.
Transit Police also have a file in the area that forced the closure of Metrotown Station. That area has since been cleared and deemed safe, however, the station remains closed due to the closure at the mall.
"At this time, it is unclear if the two files are linked."
The most traumatic experience of my life thus far. This was the scene from inside. #metrotown pic.twitter.com/W1DWbDwChQ
— Θanasaki (@thanoismyname) October 1, 2021
Stay away from #metrotown ppl. Reports of possible active shooter(s). Mall evacuated/closed. Bus loop and train stn closed. Many cops running in, and ppl running out. #burnabybc #Burnaby pic.twitter.com/IdBlReXYAH
— Rosie (@RosieKekoa) October 1, 2021
'Some of the young girls were crying and some people left their luggage'
Mohammed Arbaz was working in Metrotown Mall when he says he heard what sounded like "shooting sounds" just before 3 p.m. He tells V.I.A. that he works near the food court but was just coming inside after a break when he heard the sounds.
"I was outside for a break and I came inside the mall and I walking through the open space," he explains. "I don't know if they were shooting sounds because other people were making noise.
"It was like 70 or 80 people running at a time."
He adds that "some of the young girls were crying and some people left their luggage" as they started to run.
"Employees left their stores and ran and they started pulling people outside."
While he is still waiting outside, Arbaz notes security is monitoring the situation and he isn't aware of any injuries.
Burnaby RCMP has not confirmed that any shots were fired.
