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The Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal (SPVM) has issued a statement on the incident that took place today at the Saint-Laurent Boulevard office building where Ubisoft Montreal is based.
In a brief statement, the SPVM said it “deployed a great deal of resources to respond to a call for a hostage situation at an office building on Saint-Laurent Boulevard.”
“The perimeter was quickly secured and the SPVM confirms that no threats have been detected and no injuries are reported.”
Investigators are now taking the statement from the building evacuees and trying to find out the origin of “the call behind this major deployment of the police force.”
In a second statement, Ubisoft Montreal says:
“We want to salute the courage and composure that our teams demonstrated today, our focus remains ensuring their health and well-being. We would also like to thank the SPVM for their prompt and professional response, helping to control the situation.”
– Ubisoft Montreal (@UbisoftMTL) November 14, 2020
Update 1:
Montreal police are now evacuating the building after identifying no threats. IGN will have more updates as the situation continues to develop.
No threat has been identified for now. We are currently evacuating the building. #SPVM https://t.co/7g7eHU2B1T
– Montreal Police (@SPVM) November 13, 2020
Original story: Canadian media are reporting a police situation taking place in the building where Ubisoft Montreal is located. The Montreal Police Department has confirmed that there is a police operation in the area where the offices are located, but did not provide further details.
IGN contacted the Montreal Police press booth, where an automated briefing said that a “police operation” is taking place at the Saint-Laurent and St-Vieateur location, but that they are still checking the situation.
Montreal police added that people should “avoid the sector.”
Ongoing police operation at the corner of Saint-Laurent and St-Viateur. We ask people to avoid the area. the #SPVM the information you are currently validating and more details will follow. pic.twitter.com/qvDym0QmmM
– Montreal Police (@SPVM) November 13, 2020
“We are aware of the situation and are working with local authorities,” a Ubisoft representative said in a brief statement to IGN.
The Montreal Police Department issued a follow-up message saying that specialized officers are on the scene inspecting the property, but no injuries have been reported.
Officers were dispatched to the scene following a 911 call. Specialized #SPVM officers are on-site inspecting the facilities. No injuries have been reported. https://t.co/omrH0sYHbQ
– Montreal Police (@SPVM) November 13, 2020
The news started when Ubisoft Montreal employees began sharing about a possible situation at the Montreal office. Eric Pope, Senior Community Director, Ubisoft alerted social media about a police situation that is unfolding in the offices, although it was not clear at the time what the situation was about. There was a lot of confusion over the event, especially since early Canadian media reports like the Montreal Journal first reported a possible hostage situation where Ubisoft’s offices are located, on Saint-Laurent Boulevard in the Mile End area of Montreal.
However, the Montreal police did not confirm any details beyond a police operation and no hostage situation was mentioned. Ubisoft employees were filmed protecting themselves on the roof of their office building, and images of the scene circulated widely online.
Ubisoft Montreal employees shared updates on their online safety. While some Ubisoft Montreal employees still work from home, others who have been in the office have provided updates on social media.
I’m safe, the team here is safe, coming home.
– Total landscaping kissed by the wolf of Anouk (@Valskuiken) November 13, 2020
Secure ATM.
– Maxime Durand (@TriFreako) November 13, 2020
I am safe. My thoughts are with my teammates in the office today. Please be careful.
– Cory Switzman (@imqulsive) November 13, 2020
Matt TM Kim is a reporter for IGN.
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