Oceanside RCMP arrested a man who has been taken to hospital for a mental health evaluation after he slashed the hood of a police vehicle and encouraged officers to shoot him.
The 25-year-old man walked into a restaurant in Parksville with the machete at his side on March 30 around 4:15 p.m. and left before police arrived, according to Cpl. Jesse Foreman.
Officers located him near the orange bridge, where he refused to acknowledge police direction. Foreman said he unsheathed the weapon and walked away from the officers.
Multiple officers tried to deescalate the situation, but the man turned on police and was yelling at the officers and encouraging them to shoot him, Foreman said. He began slashing and stabbing at the hood of a police vehicle with the machete.
“This was a dynamic and dangerous situation involving a multi member response. I’m proud of the way the officers responded and thankful it ended without any injuries,” said Foreman.
A conducted energy weapon (CEW) was deployed, affording officers the opportunity to safely arrest the man without injury to him or officers.
Once released from hospital, the man will be taken into police custody, RCMP said. A detailed report will be submitted to Crown Counsel for review.
