A teenager was taken into custody by New Westminster police after being found in possession of what appeared to be a handgun near a busy transit station. The incident occurred on November 12, 2025, according to authorities.
Police Response and Arrest
The New Westminster Police Department responded to reports of an individual with a firearm outside the transit station. Officers located the suspect quickly and managed to make an arrest without any confrontation or injuries occurring.
Police confirmed the weapon was determined to be a replica firearm only after the suspect had been safely taken into custody. The entire operation was handled without incident, demonstrating what police described as a measured and professional response to a potentially dangerous situation.
Community Safety Concerns
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety around transit infrastructure in British Columbia. The presence of what appeared to be a real firearm in such a public space could have escalated into a much more serious situation.
Transit stations throughout Metro Vancouver have seen increased security measures in recent years, though incidents involving weapons continue to occur periodically. The New Westminster Police Department emphasized that they take all weapon-related reports seriously, regardless of whether the firearm ultimately proves to be real or replica.
Ongoing Investigation
While the immediate threat was neutralized with the arrest, police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Authorities are examining why the teenager was carrying the replica weapon and what their intentions might have been.
The suspect now faces potential charges related to possessing a replica firearm in public, though specific charges had not been formally announced at the time of the police news release. The case remains under active investigation as officers work to determine the full context of the event.
Police are reminding the public that replica firearms can be difficult to distinguish from real weapons and that carrying them in public spaces can lead to serious legal consequences, even when no actual threat is intended.
