Campbell interrupted by security scare in downtown Vancouver
Last Updated: Monday, May 4, 2009 | 7:59 PM PT
CBC News
B.C. Liberal Leader Gordon Campbell learned first-hand Monday about guns and crime in Vancouver when he was interrupted during a media interview and whisked away to safety.
A local print reporter was interviewing Campbell at a downtown hotel when Campbell's bodyguards were alerted to a security issue, Campbell's spokesman Bridgitte Anderson told CBC News.
Anderson did not comment further on the incident, citing security reasons. According to the Vancouver Sun, Campbell, Anderson and the reporter were rushed to a sealed room owing to safety concerns.
Vancouver police said an armed robbery took place in the 800 block of West Hastings Street around 4:30 p.m. PT on Monday, shortly before the incident the Liberals were referring to.
Const. Lindsey Houghton told CBC News several people robbed Montecristo Jewellers and fled with a substantial amount of jewelry.
A woman armed with a gun reportedly ran out of the jewelry store and fled toward the Vancouver Convention Centre, near where Campbell was giving the media interview.
Police officers chased after the woman and drew their weapons on Thurlow Street and West Cordova Street, Houghton said. The woman was later arrested.
Campbell's bodyguards might have been reacting to news of the police arrest on the street, prompting their security protocol, Houghton said.
On Monday evening, shortly after the security scare, Campbell attended an election campaign event at the convention centre. On the way there, he was seen walking across the street with two bodyguards.
Campbell appeared upbeat, telling CBC News he was not frightened by the security scare and "everything was fine."
The B.C. provincial election is May 12.
