LENNOXVILLE, Que. – More than 40 athletes were evacuated from a university residence at the Canada Summer Games on Tuesday after police were called to a domestic disturbance at a house across the street.
“According to the initial information obtained, an armed man was in a house on Winder Street,” said Martin Carrier, spokesperson for the Sherbrooke Police. “Due to the proximity of residences housing Canada Games athletes, an evacuation order was called.”
Carrier said the 62-year-old suspect, who has no ties to the Canada Summer Games, gave himself up at around 2:45 p.m. ET and was taken to hospital. The suspect could face charges.
“We supported the police and we want to be clear that at no time was any athlete in trouble or in danger,” said Games CEO Luc Fournier.
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The residence houses athletes from several provincial and territorial delegations, participating in a variety of sports.
“We have to reschedule a couple matches for some sports because during this process it was impossible for them to pick up their equipment,” said Fournier. “It’s not the fault of the athletes, so we’re going to reschedule some sports for today and some for tomorrow.
“Everything will be fine by tomorrow.”
Fournier added that the residence was largely empty with most of the athletes either competing or practising.
The incident happened near the campus of Bishop’s University, which is being used to house athletes during the Games. Rumours about the police incident quickly spread across the small campus, creating some confusion amongs the delegations and their athletes.
“There was never any real threat to the village,” said Michelle Healey, chef de mission of the Newfoundland and Labrador delegation. “I think sometimes social media and lack of information gets things out quickly, which is great sometimes, but not all the right information gets out.
“We had some information going back to our province that created a little bit of pandemonium but we knew … that all our athletes were safe and accounted for.”
— With files from Robert Laflamme
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