Students at Richmond Christian's high school got a front row seat to view the RCMP's ERT (Emergency Response Team) marshal their forces adjacent to the No. 5 Road campus last Friday afternoon (Sept. 13).
The school's parking lot and sections of No. 5 Road were blocked by police just after 3 p.m. in preparation for the takedown and arrest of a suspect in a home a few blocks away on Seamount Road.
The ERT's large, armoured vehicle was briefly stationed just down the street from the school with black SWAT-geared officers inside, some carrying assault rifles.
Roger Grose, Richmond Christian School's superintendent told the News there was no warning given prior to the event, but the students and staff were never in any danger.
The school was not locked down during the incident, but the road closures did disrupt the afternoon pick up and departure routine for a short time, Grose said.
Richmond RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Stephanie Ashton was tightlipped about the nature of the raid, but said, "out of an abundance of caution" the ERT was called in to help with the search warrant and neighbours on Seamount Road were evacuated.
