A section of Calgary’s busy 17 Avenue S.W. was closed off by police in front of a bank Friday morning.
One man is in custody and facing charges in connection with a “disturbance” at a CIBC location on the stretch of Calgary road.
“We are currently on scene responding to reports of a disturbance at the CIBC bank located at 1222 17 Ave. S.W.” CPS posted to social media at around 11:30 a.m. “We are asking people to please avoid the area until further notice.”
A Calgary Police Services K-9 unit and armoured vehicle were on the scene.
A man in a white t-shirt and jeans was seen being taken into custody after walking out of the bank with his hands above his head.
Foot and vehicle traffic were closed off in both directions between 11 Street and 12 Street S.W. and were expected to be reopened in the early afternoon.
CPS S.Sgt. Becky Spohr said at around 9 a.m. a lone male entered the bank, made some threats and caused some property damage.
“He indicated that he was going to head outside and grab some type of weapon. At that time, the employees and patrons of the bank either self-isolated or evacuated from the bank,” Spohr said.
Spohr lauded the bank workers’ response.
“I think they were fantastic,” she said. “I wasn’t here at the beginning but very quickly they recognized that there was an issue and a potential threat, and either exited the building or were able to safely provide themselves into a locked room.”
The CPS said there were seven people inside the bank at the time.
Police continue to investigate the incident and will be offering the people inside the bank victim assistance.
The CPS staff sergeant confirmed there were no injuries.
Spohr said the large police response to the urban bank was primarily to help manage pedestrian and vehicle traffic at the busy location.
“If we have some indication of an armed offender inside the bank, then we want to bring the appropriate resources for that.”