Large police response in downtown Kelowna following calls about man with gun

KELOWNA – Mulitple reports of a suspicious man with a gun prompted a massive response from Kelowna RCMP this afternoon.

RCMP say in a media release witnesses reported seeing a man with a handkerchief over his face and in the possession of what looked like a sawed-off long-barreled firearm wrapped in fabric at around 1:44 p.m. today, July 22, in the area of Bernard Avenue and Mill Street.

Police descended on Kerry Park where they took several individuals into custody. 

Following the conclusion of the incident, police confirmed that the item in the individual’s possession was not a firearm, but an item that seems to have been altered to look like a firearm.

One individual is still in police custody pending further investigation, while the others were released without charge. 

To contact a reporter for this story, email Brie Welton or call (250) 801-9235 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.