A round peg in a square hole

Disgruntled employees

Much excitement around the neighbourhood today, because of this :



A man drove a white Dodge Ram truck up the front stairs of the Workers
Compensation Board building at 333 Broadway Ave. just before noon today.

The man gave himself up voluntarily to police without incident just
after noon.

There were concerns of a bomb scare and police have taped off several
city blocks.

The WCB building has been completed evacuated but police are
also asking people in neighbouring buildings at 363 and 325 Broadway Ave. to
also leave their buildings.

Broadway is closed between Donald and Edmonton Streets, the closure
includes the cross streets at York and Assiniboine Avenues.

I'll snap some photos on my way home if the police tape is still up and the streets are closed. I think the whole neighbourhood has been evacuated and is now sitting in the café at the Convention Centre...

*UPDATE*
I forgot to mention that my office is right behind the WCB Building...

From the Winnipeg Free Press (much more exciting!):

Breaking News

Police seal off streets after man drives into building on Broadway
Updated at 12:55 PM
By Mike McIntyre

A dramatic scene is unfolding in downtown Winnipeg at this hour.
Police took a man into custody moments after he deliberately drove his pickup truck into the Workers Compensation building on Broadway just before noon.
Witnesses say he was pulled from his vehicle at gunpoint.

There is ongoing concern because the man claimed to be in possession of an explosive device.

Hundreds of Broadway office workers have been evacuated. Other office workers and residents in apartment buildings have been asked to stay away from windows.

Police spokesman Sgt. Kelly Dennison said the police bomb squad is now on the way to check the vehicle for any explosives.

“All evidence is he was holding something very suspicious in his hands,” said Dennison, adding it was possibly an object that looked like a detonator.
Several officers on the scene saw it.

Witnesses said the man was seen circling the WCB building in his vehicle earlier in the morning.

Dennison said four blocks have been evacuated and people should avoid the area on the way home tonight.

"We don't know how long this will take," Dennison said. "We can all see the congestion this is causing," he said.

The area blocked off is on Broadway, from Donald Street to Edmonton Street.

"Everybody has to get off the street, or into a building or back a block. Stay away from the windows. Put your cigarettes out," an officer shouted at dozens of people who had gathered on the street.

Sirens can be heard non-stop as cruiser cars from across the city are brought in to assist with traffic control.

*SECOND UPDATE*
from cbc.ca

CBC reporter Sheila North-Wilson spoke to the man moments before he was put into a police cruiser; he said he was tired of the "tactics" of the Workers Compensation Board and CN Rail.

posted by D @ 1:37:00 PM