Reports of a hostage situation unfolding in the Ubisoft Montreal office are spreading through social media and local news outlets, with dozens of people reportedly within the building.
According to a report from Journal de Montreal, police had not been able to confirm the situation as of publication, but officers are now reportedly on the scene, with some people seen leaving the building with their hands up.
Being told there's a hostage situation (?) somewhere on Saint-Laurent between Maguire and Saint-Viateur.
Saw cops with guns drawn as people came out of a Ubisoft building with their hands up… pic.twitter.com/dtSnNtaKvV— jesse dubé-smith (@jesseds) November 13, 2020
Montreal police have posted on social media that a police operation is happening in the area, and asked that people avoid the area, and will be keeping the public updated with details on the situation as they come.
“There is an ongoing police operation at the corner of Saint-Laurent and St-Viateur. We ask people to avoid the area. The #SPVM is currently validating information and more details will follow.”
Ubisoft employee Eric Pope verified that members of his team were seen on the roof of the building on a local news broadcast. Pope said that he was on a work call with other Ubisoft employees before they had to abruptly leave the call.
https://twitter.com/MrPope/status/1327329554294312963
Update, 3:09 p.m. Eastern: Montreal Police have confirmed via Twitter that officers were dispatched in response to a 911 call, and that everyone is safe and there are no injuries to be reported.
Officers have been sent to the location following a 911 call. Specialized #SPVM officers are on site inspecting the premises. There are no injuries reported. https://t.co/omrH0sYHbQ
— Police Montréal (@SPVM) November 13, 2020
Despite initial reports of a possible hostage situation, CBC News is reporting the 911 call was in response to an armed robbery. Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier said on Twitter that Ubisoft employees were told to either evacuate the building or hide for their safety.
Update, 3:46 p.m. Eastern: Local outlet TVA nouvelles is reporting that “dozens” of people are evacuating the building accompanied by police.
OPÉRATION POLICIÈRE CHEZ UBISOFT | Des gens commencent à évacuer le bâtiment. Des dizaines de personnes sont vues accompagnées des policiers. Le tout se passe dans le calme. https://t.co/wrwYBoebWN pic.twitter.com/HqQ6376e2P
— TVA nouvelles (@tvanouvelles) November 13, 2020
Update, 3:50 p.m. Eastern: Montreal police have confirmed that no threat has been identified and that employees are being evacuated.
No threat has been identified for now. We are currently evacuating the building. #SPVM https://t.co/7g7eHU2B1T
— Police Montréal (@SPVM) November 13, 2020
Update: Montreal Police have confirmed that the 911 call has been deemed a hoax, and that they are currently investigating the source of the call. The full statement was posted on the SPVM website and reads as follows:
This Friday afternoon, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) deployed a large number of resources to answer a call for a hostage situation in a Saint-Laurent Boulevard office building. The perimeter was quickly secured and the SPVM confirms that no threat has been detected and no injuries are reported.
The evacuees are being directed to a place where investigators will take their statement. A team of CIUSS social workers is also on hand to support them as needed.
An investigation will follow regarding the call behind this important police force deployment.
Developing story…
