A domestic violence incident in Saanich Sunday morning resulted in Greater Victoria’s Emergency Response Team being called out, after officers spotted their suspect with a long gun.
Saanich police were contacted around 4:30 a.m. by a 25-year-old woman who said she had been assaulted by her boyfriend and then fled from a home in the 3000-block of Earl Grey St.
When officers attended the residence, they spotted the man sleeping on a couch beside what appeared to be a long gun or rifle.
The GVERT was called in and a number of surrounding homes were evacuated as a safety precaution.
GVERT members successfully contacted the sleeping man, and he was arrested without incident around 9:20 a.m.
“At this time it is not known why the suspect may have had a weapon. There are a multitude of possibilities,” said Sgt. Steve Eassie.
“It is possible that he intended on harming himself, harming his girlfriend if she returned, or harming police when they attended to investigate. We are thankful that this incident ended without anyone being harmed by the weapon.”
Eassie said Monday the 26-year-old man has been co-operating with police, and charges of assault, mischief, weapons offences were being considered.
kslavin@saanichnews.com