Man arrested after threatening New Westminster hospital staff with edged weapon

New Westminster police arrested a man on October 4 for threatening hospital staff with an edged weapon at Royal Columbian Hospital. Officers responded to a 911 call and observed the man armed upon arrival. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, he refused police instructions to drop the weapon, prompting officers to use a conducted energy weapon for his safe apprehension. Fraser Health confirmed the man had been admitted earlier that day but has since been discharged. BC Nurses Union president Adriane Gear emphasized the growing risks healthcare workers face in their environments.

She called for immediate action to enhance security and violence prevention training. Gear urged stakeholders to collaborate on solutions instead of politicizing the issue. This incident reflects broader concerns about safety in healthcare settings across the region.