The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) has confirmed shots were fired into the Alberta capital's city hall building and a Molotov cocktail was thrown from the second floor. The EPS reports no injuries.
Edmonton police have confirmed the incident at City Hall on Tuesday morning no longer poses a threat to public safety.
EPS is still investigating the incident. One person was arrested and police conducted an inspection of the town hall.
“The event has now concluded and I want to assure the public that we believe this individual acted alone,” Edmonton Police Chief Dale McFee said Tuesday afternoon.
It should also be noted that it was an unarmed commission agent who initially arrested this person. “His action was extraordinary and we are grateful,” he continued.
The police chief confirmed that the person was armed with a long gun with which he was able to quickly fire several shots.
Open in full screen mode
Children were evacuated from Edmonton City Hall after shots were fired and a Molotov cocktail was thrown into the building.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Paige Parsons
McFee said that in addition to the weapon, the arrested person was also heavily armed with several hand-held incendiary devices, which police said were Molotov cocktails. He allegedly threw one and caused a small fire near an elevator.
Roads in and around the area were closed and citizens were asked to avoid the area.
A CBC journalist was at a committee meeting at City Hall when the incident was reported shortly before 10:30 a.m. The journalist said she heard three loud bangs coming from the building's atrium.
The mayor, councilors and staff attending the meeting were temporarily accommodated in a room on the ground floor. Shortly thereafter, the building's fire alarm went off.
“The council was in an emergency management meeting and we heard very loud banging noises,” said Councilman Aaron Paquette.
At first we thought it was a palette [de bois] may have dropped because you don't expect something like that to happen.
But security came and said, “These are real shots and we have to follow emergency procedures.”
“That’s what we did,” he added.
Open in full screen mode
Roads around and near City Hall were closed and citizens were asked to avoid the area.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Julia Wong
The building was evacuated around 11 a.m. and police officers in tactical gear could be seen inside. Fire engines and ambulances were also on site.
Children were also evacuated by police and placed on an Edmonton Public Transit bus.
A police cordon was installed in front of the main entrance to the building. After 11 a.m., security forces were stationed at Churchill Square, south of the building.