Man arrested for brandishing knife at Winnipeg apartment building: police

Police on scene in the 400 block of Kennedy Street.

The Winnipeg Police Service made an arrest on Thursday morning after a man allegedly brandished a knife and barricaded himself inside a downtown apartment building.

According to police, officers were called to the 400 block of Kennedy Street around midnight for the report of an “erratic” man brandishing a knife and threatening people in a hallway in the building.

A tactical team arrived, and were confronted by the man, who was still armed. The officers fired a foam impact round that had little effect on the man, who ran into a suite, barricading himself behind a locked door.

The crisis negotiation unit was called in to help, but were unsuccessful.

According to police, the floor the suspect was on was evacuated at around 5:30 a.m., and the tactical team broke down the door and deployed CS gas, a type of riot control agent, to get the man out of the suite.

Police said the HVAC system in the building was shut down and exhaust fans were brought in to help with ventilation and minimize the spread of fumes.

The man exited the suite, but was still acting erratically, according to police.

A Taser was used to take the man into custody. Police said no injuries were reported, and the man was taken to hospital to be assessed under the Mental Health Act.