Police standoff with suspect, believed to be armed, interrupts Canada Summer Games

An armed standoff between police and one suspect interrupted the Canada Summer Games in Sherbrooke, Que., Tuesday afternoon, with reports that athletes were forced into hiding as the armed man took control of a building where they were being billeted.

According to various reports, an armed suspect entered a building at Bishop’s University, where male athletes were staying during the event. There were unconfirmed reports of gunshots being fired.

According to a Games spokesman, the suspect has been taken into police custody. No one was injured during the incident, although as many as 50 athletes were evacuated during the encounter.

Competition had been delayed through the afternoon, but the spokesman told Yahoo! Canada News the event was expected to resume shortly.

The Montreal Gazette had reported that a suspect barricaded himself into the building at about 11 a.m., and police worked for several hours to coax him into surrender.

The Georgian newspaper reported the police presence included a SWAT team and riot police. The newspaper said that Newfoundland and Labrador’s swimming team went into lockdown in the building’s cafeteria.

“Swim team coach Brad Hutton, who is currently at the Newfoundland-Saskatchewan basketball game, has been in contact with his athletes, who have been instructed not to leave the cafeteria at this time,” the Georgian writes.

The Canada Summer Games is a two-week event that involves thousands of athletes competing in 20 different sports.

More as the story develops.