Youths wielding imitation firearms arrested in 2 separate incidents in Abbotsford, police say

Police shared a photo of the seized weapons on social media. (@AbbyPoliceDept / X.com)

Police in Abbotsford say they responded to two separate incidents involving young people threatening others with BB or airsoft guns.

The first incident occurred in central Abbotsford just before 7 p.m., according to Abbotsford Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Paul Walker.

"Two parties known to each other met to work out a civil issue, and when that conversation didn't go well, one 18-year-old man pulled out an airsoft gun and threatened the victim," Walker explained in an email to CTV News Saturday.

He added that the victim was not injured and was able to get away and call police. The suspect was located and arrested, and police will be recommending charges, Walker said.

A little more than an hour later, a second, unrelated weapons call came in, according to Walker.

He said witnesses in the 3100 block of Mt. Lehman Road told police they saw "two youths carrying firearms."

When officers arrived, witnesses helped them locate and arrest three people aged 16 or younger, Walker said, adding that police seized two black BB guns and a can of bear spray.

"Through the investigation, it was determined that the BB guns were being fired at other youth not known to the suspects in the area of the bus stop, striking them with the metal BBs," he said. "Luckily, no one was seriously injured."

The three arrested teenagers have been released to their parents and are required to attend court at a later date, Walker said. Police will be recommending charges of assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and pointing a firearm.

"Both these incidents serve as a reminder to parents to be aware of what your kids are leaving the house with when they leave to meet up with friends," Walker said.

"Further, when the police respond to these gun calls, until the guns are in the hands of the police, our officers aren't able to determine if they're real or fake."