Multiple University of Toronto and government buildings were shut down Monday morning after police said they received reports of a person possibly armed and in the vicinity of the Ontario legislature.
Officers with the Emergency Task Force and K-9 unit were deployed to the area of Queen’s Park Crescent and Bloor Avenue after receiving separate reports about a suspicious person dressed in all black, wearing what appeared to be a surgical mask and carrying a black knapsack.
The university placed several buildings on Queen’s Park Crescent and surrounding streets on lockdown, saying anyone already inside the buildings to “remain in place.”
Roads were cordoned off, and nearby hospitals, including Women’s College Hospital, were also placed in lockdown as a precautionary measure, and Hospital for Sick Children also restricted entry and exit to their buildings “out of caution.”
Trains also bypassed Museum station while tactical officers investigated.
Hours later, Sgt. Sean Cassidy said officers had “cleared” the buildings, and there was no need for public concern.
He said there was no indication anyone actually had a firearm on campus.
Earlier in the day, Police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters on scene that officers were taking the reports seriously.
He said police had received from a passerby a photo of a male dressed in all black, wearing a mask and carrying a black knapsack.
Although police did not see a firearm in the photo, they said one caller indicated they spotted a man wearing all black and carrying a firearm.
Saunders also confirmed that a male who was placed in police custody near campus earlier in the morning was not related to the campus investigation.
In a statement Monday afternoon, University of Toronto president, Meric Gertler thanked students, faculty and staff for responding “calmly and quickly to this event on our St. George campus.” He also thanked police and campus community officers for their quick actions and care.
“I think I speak for many of us when I say that this has been a distressing day, but I am very relieved at the outcome.” [myad]
