Hamilton police arrested a man accused of setting a fire at a downtown Salvation Army then allegedly going on a knife-wielding rampage at Jackson Square before he was finally cuffed by responding officers.
Hamilton police investigators said the “chaotic and dangerous” series of events began on Sunday, February 9, at around 4:15 p.m. when a man was seen loitering in the front lobby of the Salvation Army at 94 York Boulevard.
“The male intentionally ignited a fire within the building and then left on foot,” a Hamilton Police release states.
“The fire caused approximately $150,000 worth of damage and was extinguished by the Hamilton Fire Department.”
Not long after, the same man alleged entered Jackson Square at 2 King Street West and was confronted by security guards who were trying to enforce an ongoing trespass order.
The suspect refused to leave, police said, and instead allegedly armed himself with multiple large knives.
“Further, the male then produced an imitation firearm and made threats to shoot people around him,” the release adds.
Officers arrived on scene and quickly arrested the man without further incident. No injuries were reported.
The suspect, aged 27, of no fixed address, faces charges of assault with a weapon, utter threats to cause death or bodily harm, arson disregard for human life, and other weapons and probation violation offences.