rooftop party at Ubisoft HQ

[Halal Bacon]

Ubisoft Montreal staffers barricade on roof amid possible hostage situation
The police operation is still very much in progress.


A potential hostage situation is reportedly taking place at the building in which game developer Ubisoft's Montreal office is housed.

A group of suspects are reportedly holding tens of people hostage at Ubisoft Montreal, according to local (French-language) media outlet LCN. The situation reportedly began around 1:30pm Eastern Time.

Montreal police confirmed that there is an "ongoing police operation" at the intersection where Ubisoft Montreal sits, adding, "We ask people to avoid the area. The SPVM is currently validating information and more details will follow."

Montreal mayor Valérie Plante confirmed that her office is coordinating with the police and monitoring the situation and echoed the police's request for everyone to avoid the area.

According to Radio-Canada (story in French), police were dispatched to the scene following a 911 call reporting a robbery in a nearby commercial building.

Live-streamed footage from an LCN helicopter showed a group of people together on the roof deck of the building behind a makeshift barricade seemingly constructed of folding tables leaning against the access door. Developer Eric Pope confirmed in a Tweet that the individuals on the roof were indeed Ubisoft employees, saying, "This is insane. This is my team on the roof."

When asked about the reports, an Ubisoft representative offered the following statement to Ars Technica: "We are aware of the situation and working with local authorities."

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Ubisoft Montreal staffers barricade on roof, escorted out by police [Updated]

Ongoing police investigation, but authorities claim "no threat has been identified."

arstechnica.com

 

[lurk]

what, no piles of hay nearby?

 

[Halal Bacon]

turns out Ubisoft got swatted, no dead baguettes today.

 

[SK2.0]

The AC installations seem of acceptable quality.

 

[Corpsefriedchicken]

Update, 7:15pm: The 911 call that set the police response in motion was a hoax, the CBC reports. Montreal police confirmed only that the police operation is over, with no threat detected and no injuries reported. "An investigation will follow to shed light on the call behind this important police force deployment," the SPVM added.

Ubisoft issued statement around 7:30pm Eastern Time saying that the company was "relieved" all of its staff in Ubisoft Montreal were safely evacuated. "We commend the strength and solidarity of all of our team members in this complex and stressful situation," the company added. "We are grateful for the prompt response of the police and local authorities. We will continue to provide our teams with all the necessary support to cope with this traumatic event."