Video shows dramatic Vancouver police arrest in West End neighbourhood

Police in Vancouver say a man is facing a criminal charge after a dramatic arrest was caught on video near the city's downtown core.

The video posted to social media shows multiple police officers, including some dressed in olive-green uniforms and carrying rifles, pointing their weapons at the senior and moving bystanders out of the area along Davie Street on Wednesday.

Police repeatedly shout instructions at the man, who is seated on an outdoor patio, telling him to get on the ground.

Officers stand over the man, firing multiple beanbag rounds and Tasers into his body, before tackling him to the sidewalk.

Vancouver police spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison says the man had called 911 "claiming he had a knife and was about to commit a murder."

Addison says dozens of police officers, including crisis negotiators, swarmed the West End neighbourhood in response to the call.

"However he refused to surrender and would not follow the directions of officers," he said in an emailed statement. "The suspect was taken to jail and faces criminal charges."

Suspect charged with uttering threats

Court records show Bradley McElroy, born in 1958, was charged with one count of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm. He appeared in a Vancouver court on Thursday and was released from custody with another court appearance scheduled for July 3.

In an update on the case Friday, the Vancouver Police Department said the suspect told the 911 operator shortly after noon Wednesday that he was heading to a park near Thurlow and Comox streets to kill someone who had previously assaulted him.

"Officers located the suspect sitting on a bench on Davie Street at Thurlow, approximately three blocks from the park," the department said.

"Believing he was armed with a knife and planning to commit a murder, the officers attempted to take the man into custody."

Police said the man "repeatedly failed to comply with the officers' lawful commands," prompting the officers to deploy less-lethal weapons during his arrest.