A distraught man waving a knife was shot this afternoon by Abbotsford Police using non-lethal guns.
The incident began at about 2:15 p.m., when police received calls about a man brandishing a large knife and yelling in the parking lot of the Abbotsford Food Bank at 33914 Essendene Ave.
Officers arrived on scene, but the man refused to comply with their commands, said Abbotsford Police spokesman Ian MacDonald.
He said police had to subdue the man using non-lethal guns which shoot rubber bullets and beanbag rounds.
The 57-year-old man, who was not seriously injured, was transported to hospital for treatment and a mental-health assessment.
A man who witnessed the take-down from the street said there were about eight officers surrounding the man.
"The cops were shouting, 'Get down on the ground!' … I heard them say it three times," he said.
The witness said officers had their guns trained on the man, and he saw an officer who was standing at the end of the driveway fire a gun.
The suspect fell to the ground and then tried to get up, while cursing at the officers.
The man was ordered to stay on the ground, and the witness left the scene before observing anything further.
MacDonald said police are continuing to investigate the incident, which took place in the busy downtown core, and are appealing for more witnesses to come forward.
He said several witnesses on the scene were observed with smartphones in their hands, and police are requesting a copy of photos and/or images of the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225 or text abbypd (222973).
