Ottawa police responded to a reported firearm sighting in Centretown on Monday morning, leading to a temporary street closure near an elementary school. The incident was later determined to be a false alarm, as the suspected weapon was actually a toy gun.
Police Respond to 911 Call
At approximately 11 a.m., officers were dispatched to 300 Gloucester Street after a caller reported spotting what appeared to be a firearm on an apartment balcony. According to Ottawa Police Service spokesperson Julie Kavanagh, the report prompted an immediate response from law enforcement.
Gloucester Street was closed between Percy Street and Bay Street as a precautionary measure. Students at nearby Centennial Public School were kept indoors while police investigated the scene.
Investigation Concludes
After a thorough investigation, police confirmed there was no firearm or threat to public safety. Officer Jamie Dunlop, who was on the scene, stated that the object in question turned out to be a toy gun. The street was reopened shortly after the investigation concluded.
Ottawa police remind the public to report suspicious activity, but also to exercise caution when reporting potential firearms, as toy guns can sometimes cause unnecessary alarm.
— With files from Abyssinia Abebe
