Police intervene after intoxicated man seen stumbling on Mission Bridge, with apparent firearm on him

MISSION – Mission RCMP dealt with an unusual situation two weekends ago in which an intoxicated man was seen stumbling across both lanes of traffic on the Mission Bridge in the middle of the night and holding what police thought was a gun.

Mission RCMP spokesperson Corporal Harrison Mohr says an officer was monitoring traffic along the Mission Bridge at approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday, November 1, when he observed a man dressed in a dark coat, stumbling across both lanes of traffic, and holding what appeared to be an assault rifle.

Corporal Mohr says the officer called out to the man, who was cooperative but intoxicated. The item he had in his possession was confirmed to be a toy, which he had used as part of his Halloween costume from that night.

He was arrested for being intoxicated in public and driven to his home in Abbotsford.

Police say the incident is a reminder to the public of how, from a distance, it can be difficult to tell whether an item is a real firearm or a toy.

“This is especially in this type of setting – where it was dark and the officer also had to be mindful that the person was in danger of being hit by an oncoming car while he was walking along the roadway,” Cpl. Mohr said. “Anyone using toy firearms should not carry them in public, and should be aware of how other people might react if they see them handling the toy.”