BC

CTV British Columbia
Published Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 7:14AM PDT
Last Updated Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 12:36PM PDT

Photo: Contributed

Police negotiated with an armed man who entered the Fairmont Pacific Rim with a gun on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012. (CTV)

The armed gunman who caused a nine-hour standoff at the Fairmont Pacific Rim has been arrested, police said Monday afternoon.

Cst. Brian Montague said a distraught man entered the hotel waving a hand gun at 2:30 a.m. Police quickly locked down the hotel and contained the man in an area on the second or third floor.

The 28-year-old Surrey man with a history of mental illness, who is known to police, was contained in a public area of the hotel as negotiators spoke with him.

Police said the South Asian man was arrested and taken to hospital with minor injuries at around 12:15 p.m. Due to his mental health history, police were concerned he may harm himself.

According to police, the man now faces possible weapons-related charges.

Hotel management confirmed to CTV News that 90 per cent of hotel guests and residents in 200 rooms were safely evacuated by noon.

In a testament to the power of social media, the hotel used Twitter to evacuate a bride who couldn’t get to her wedding because she was trapped in one of the rooms. 

“There is a bride trapped inside the #PacificRim right now that needs to get to her wedding! Please help her!!!!,” @zahfparoo tweeted.

The Fairmont Pacific Rim responded, “Please let us know room number and we will ensure she is evacuated,” and the bride was safely escorted out of the hotel and to her wedding.

Montague confirmed everyone who wanted to leave the hotel was evacuated.