Shots fired at police in ‘high-risk’ Chilliwack incident, man arrested

A 29-year-old man has been arrested and is in custody after the Chilliwack RCMP says shots were allegedly fired at police officers during an incident Monday.

The arrest comes as Mounties in Chilliwack say they were dealing with “an active, ongoing, high-risk police incident,” unfolding just after 2 p.m.

Police were advising people to shelter in place if they live in the area of Knight Road and Chilliwack River Road, as police were allegedly fired at around 7:45 p.m. Police say approximately 16 homes in the surrounding area were told to stay away from exterior walls.

Chilliwack RCMP are on scene at a high risk police incident involving shots fired. Residents in the area of Knight Rd near Melville, Queens and Downes are asked to shelter in place and stay away from external walls. Do not post photos of police on social media. More to follow

— Upper Fraser Valley RCMP (@UFVRD_RCMP) May 23, 2023

The Chilliwack RCMP had also previously asked anyone who sees police movements in the area not to report them on social media.

A home in Chilliwack is a smouldering wreck this morning, after an hours long “high risk” situation on Chilliwack. Shots fired, a home in flames and neighbours told to shelter in their homes and to avoid outer walls. Police revealing few details, promising and update later today. pic.twitter.com/BsR9OSb3SO

— Mike Lloyd (@llikemoyd) May 23, 2023

In a statement Tuesday, Chilliwack Mounties say they were called to a home on Knight Road after reports of a “distraught” man who allegedly had access to multiple firearms.

Police say they attended the scene with the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team (ERT), where they say the man was “contained” in a home.

“Negotiations and efforts to reach a peaceful resolution continued for the next few hours,” Sgt. Krista Vrolyk of the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment said.

Police say just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, the man was taken into custody, and just after 12:50 a.m. Mounties publically said the situation had been “resolved,” with residents in the area able to leave their homes.

The blackened frame of a home that looks to be destroyed by fire now sits behind yellow police tape, after police say it sustained “significant fire damage during this incident.” The house was still smouldering as of 7:30 a.m.

The burned out home is at Knight Rd and Queen Street in Chilliwack. It remains behind yellow police tape. A neighbor says she could her officers yelling at someone to come out last night. It hasn’t been confirmed this is the house where the apparent stand off took place.

— Mike Lloyd (@llikemoyd) May 23, 2023

One neighbour CityNews spoke to says she heard officers yelling at someone to “come out” Monday night. However, police have not confirmed this is the house where the apparent standoff took place.

“This incident was a very dynamic, high-risk situation for all those involved,” said Vrolyk. “Victim Services is available to anyone in need of support and we will be working with residents in the area over the next few days to ensure that they are aware of the services available.”

‘We just can’t believe it’ 

People who live in the area where the incident took place are saying the whole ordeal was scary and confusing.

Bob, who lives nearby, says he was getting ready for bed around 9:30 p.m. Monday when he learned of the police presence.

“We were at home and we saw maybe about 10 police cars right out front,” he said, adding he woke up a few hours later without power.

Paul, meantime, tells CityNews he saw the aftermath of the incident early Tuesday morning.

“I go for my walk every morning, I come around the corner and it’s like ‘What the hell is going on here?’,” he said.

Paul and Bob say the house in question was “very quiet,” with people coming and going to get their cars repaired.

“We never heard any issue with them,” Paul said. “We just can’t believe it.”

Jeffrey, another neighbour, says just after midnight, his power went out for a few hours. He tells CityNews the situation is very unusual for the area.

“I drive past here every day and there’s nothing ever going on here. Nothing. So it’s got us completely blown away,” he said.

“We all moved out here to Chilliwack for safe houses. We think it’s a safe community, and then we hear of gunshots? Sketchy.”

-With files from Mike Lloyd