Burnaby RCMP arrests 44-year-old man after he allegedly threatened security staff with bear spray and a knife

A 44-year-old man was arrested by Burnaby RCMP after he allegedly threatened Metrotown security with bear spray and a knife.

On April 22, 2025, at approximately 10:20 p.m., Burnaby RCMP frontline officers responded to a report of a suspect who had allegedly attempted to bear spray staff while holding a knife. The suspect had fled the scene prior to police arrival; however, with the assistance of several witnesses and security, police were able to quickly locate the suspect a short distance away.

Police verbally engaged the suspect, who was holding what was believed to be a can of bear spray. The suspect ignored police commands. With the presence of two weapons and the public safety risk, arresting officers used distractionary strikes and deployed a conducted energy weapon in order to gain control of the resisting subject as safely as possible.

Police were able to take the suspect into custody. The suspect suffered very minor injuries and was provided immediate medical assistance.

Once in custody, police located and seized a knife and bear spray that were both in the suspect’s possession. The suspect was transported to Burnaby RCMP cells and now faces multiple potential criminal charges.

The investigation is ongoing.

If not for the actions of our frontline officers, this situation could have had much more dire consequences, said Superintendent Sunny Parmar, Burnaby RCMP’s Operations Officer. We are aware that there is video of this interaction online that does not capture the totality of the circumstances. If you have video of the incident, or witnessed it and haven’t spoken to police, our investigators would like to hear from you.

Police are asking anyone that witnessed this incident and hasn’t already spoken to police, or anyone with video or the incident, to please contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 and quote file number 25-13386.