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Tense standoff at Richmond townhouse complex ends with man in custody

Click to play video: 'Police ERT surround home in East Richmond in tense standoff'
Police ERT surround home in East Richmond in tense standoff
Heavily armed officers have surrounded a unit in a townhome complex at the end of Gilley Road near Westminster Highway. Jennifer Palma has the details. – Jul 10, 2020

A man is in custody Friday after a tense standoff in Richmond, B.C., that lasted nearly 12 hours.

An emergency response team surrounded a townhouse complex in the area of Gilley Road near Westminster Highway after police received a report of a distraught man trashing a home during a violent outburst.

A woman fled the residence before the man, who was reported to have had a firearm, barricaded himself inside, police say.

Witnesses reported hearing loud noises that may have been flash-bangs and the windows of one of the units appear to have been blown out.

Police used a loudspeaker to urge the person to come out. Several police cruisers and at least one ambulance blocked off the area.

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Police say a 43-year-old man was apprehended under the Mental Health Act around 4:30 a.m. and is in custody.

Neighbours were evacuated from their homes as a precaution and are expected to return home shortly.

A sign posted to two doors at the complex told occupants that tear gas and pepper spray were used during the incident.

Police say no one was injured in the incident, which remains under investigation.

— With files from Jennifer Palma

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