Update, 3:55 p.m.: Police are evacuating the building and are still investigating.
Update, 3:30 p.m. ET: Both the Montreal police and Ubisoft haven't confirmed that it's a hostage situation, so we've updated our story accordingly.
Update, 3:13 p.m. ET: The Montreal police said that officers are investigating and no injuries have been reported.
What you need to know
- A large police operation occurred Friday at the Ubisoft Montreal offices.
- Ubisoft employees were on the roof for a few hours before being evacuated.
- What caused the situation is unconfirmed at this time.
There is a large police investigation underway at the Ubisoft offices in Montreal Friday, according to multiple Canadian news organizations.
There were reports initially of a possible hostage situation, but that has not been confirmed at this time.
The Journal de Montreal was one of the first to report that something was happening in the area, but noted that police couldn't confirm any information.
"We are aware of the situation and working with local authorities," a spokesperson for Ubisoft said in a statement to Windows Central. "It's important that we do not get in the way of their work at the moment. We are waiting for the official statement.
The police are on the scene, according to both the Montreal police's Twitter account and footage taken by TVA Nouvelles, a local French language TV news station. The police posted on Twitter that they're currenly verifying information, but don't have anything to share at this time. They're also asking people to avoid the area.
There is an ongoing police operation at the corner of Saint-Laurent and St-Viateur. We ask people to avoid the area. The #SPVM is currently validating information and more details will follow. pic.twitter.com/44PjWzsCOh
— Police Montréal (@SPVM) November 13, 2020
According to local news footage from the French-language LCN, many of the employees have been moved to the roof. The images also show that the door opening to the roof has been barricaded from the outside. Developer Eric Pope confirmed that it was Ubisoft employees on the roof on Twitter.
this is insane. this is my team on the roof. pic.twitter.com/xT12NpTALF
— Eric Pope (@MrPope) November 13, 2020
EN DIRECT | Opération policière: l'hélicoptère TVA Nouvelles survole le secteur https://t.co/Oj4yEp0wcJ pic.twitter.com/o3iNBl7D1R
— TVA nouvelles (@tvanouvelles) November 13, 2020
Ubisoft has multiple buildings in the area. Many employees are still working from home due to the pandemic.
Update, 3:13 p.m. ET — Montreal police say no injuries reported at scene
The Montreal police posted on Twitter a few more details about the investigation. The tweet said that officers were sent to the location following a 911 call and that no injuries have been reported at this time.
Officers have been sent to the location following a 911 call. Specialized #SPVM officers are on site inspecting the premises. There are no injuries reported. https://t.co/omrH0sYHbQ
— Police Montréal (@SPVM) November 13, 2020
The police are continuing to investigate.
Update, 3:30 p.m. ET — Police, Ubisoft don't confirm hostage situation
A statement from the Montreal police and Ubisoft haven't confirmed that it's a hostage situation. We've updated our story accordingly and will continue to monitor the situation.
Update, 3:55 p.m. ET — Police are evacuating the building
In a tweet, Montreal police said they are evacuating the building. Video footage from a chopper confirms that the employees are leaving the roof.
No threat has been identified for now. We are currently evacuating the building. #SPVM https://t.co/7g7eHU2B1T
— Police Montréal (@SPVM) November 13, 2020
The police added that no threats have been detected, but they are still investigating.
via https://AiUpNow.com November 13, 2020 at 02:29PM by Carli Velocci, Khareem Sudlow,
