Police say a suspect is facing weapons and assault charges after an incident that caused a standoff at the University of Ottawa Friday night.
Ottawa police say they responded to the area of Nicholas Street and Laurier Avenue after reports of a suspicious person.
The university had issued a notice on its emergency alert page around 5:18 p.m. Friday, asking students to avoid the area and shelter in place if they were on campus.
“Cover up and remain silent until otherwise instructed by authorities,” the school said, ordering students to find an enclosed area, lock and barricade the door, turn off lights and mute their electronic devices.
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“If a violent attacker is nearby, be ready to run, hide or, if your life is in imminent danger, protect yourself by any means necessary until you can escape.”
Nearly two hours later, the lockdown was lifted, with police saying a suspect had been arrested at the downtown Ottawa campus and that there were “no injuries to report.”
In a news release Saturday, police also say a replica firearm was recovered from the suspect.
According to the police, the accused is accused of possessing a weapon dangerous to public peace, as well as of ill-treatment – obstruction of the legal use of property.
The accused is scheduled to appear in court on Saturday and investigations are ongoing, police added.
– with a file from Sean Boynton
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