Thunder Bay police remain on scene near Villa Square after escorting a woman from a building Friday morning. Streets blocked, businesses on lockdown.
Police Response Shuts Down Part of Cumberland Street
Thunder Bay police responded to an active situation Friday morning in the 100-block section of Cumberland Street North, prompting street closures and a heavy police presence. Officers arrived on scene around 8:30 a.m. ET and immediately blocked pedestrian and vehicle access around the Villa Square building near Villa Street.
Woman Escorted From Building Amid Investigation
By approximately 11:15 a.m., officers were seen escorting a woman out of the building at the center of the incident. The woman’s condition and involvement remain unclear. As of early Friday afternoon, the situation remained active, with officers continuing to secure the area.
Businesses Temporarily Close, Staff Ordered to Shelter
The police response led nearby businesses to initiate lockdown procedures. McDonald’s and the Bodymind Centre were among those that closed their doors. Monica Czapla, a yoga and Pilates instructor at the Bodymind Centre, shared her experience.
“I was in the middle of teaching classes and my manager came in and said that there was police presence outside, guns drawn, and that they had asked us to lock down the business,” Czapla said. “It’s actually kind of frightening because we don’t know what’s happening.”
Public Safety Measures and Police Silence
Despite the visible police action and disruption in the area, Thunder Bay Police have yet to release any details about the nature of the incident or any potential threats. Officers on-site have declined to comment, leaving residents and business owners uncertain about the evolving situation.
Ongoing Presence and Unresolved Situation
As of 1 p.m. Friday, police continued to maintain their presence at the location, and the incident had not been declared resolved. Authorities have not issued any public advisories or updates.
Residents are advised to avoid the area until further notice.
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