UPDATE: Local police have cleared the building and determined no threats. Ubisoft Montreal employees have begun being evacuated, seemingly signaling a false alarm. We have also updated our post to remove previous speculation of a hostage situation.
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 also released the following statement
“This Friday afternoon, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) deployed a large number of resources to answer a call for a hostage situation in a Saint-Laurent Boulevard office building. The perimeter was quickly secured and the SPVM confirms that no threat has been detected and no injuries are reported.
The evacuees are being directed to a place where investigators will take their statement. A team of CIUSS social workers is also on hand to support them as needed.
An investigation will follow regarding the call behind this important police force deployment.”
The original story can be found below
Ubisoft Montreal, the studio known for big franchises like Assassin’s Creed and Rainbow Six, is reportedly dealing with a police situation. Numerous reports started coming out on social media of a heavy police presence at the Canadian studio early this afternoon.
On social media, Ubisoft employees confirmed the incident. Eric Pope, senior community developer on Hyperscape, said his team was moved to the roof and posted a photo. Pope is working from home and said he was on a call when everyone was abruptly moved.
this is insane. this is my team on the roof. pic.twitter.com/xT12NpTALF
— Eric Pope (@MrPope) November 13, 2020
Anouk Bachman, a member of the Assassin’s Creed Valhalla team, noted she was not in the building but everyone she knows is safe.
I’m safe, everyone I know is safe. https://t.co/yMQbEUbb2R
— Anouk Wolf-Kissed Total Landscaping (@Valskuiken) November 13, 2020
There is currently no confirmed information about what has triggered this incident. Posts on social media along with some articles believed it could be a hostage situation, but it was speculative. According to Journal de Montreal, it’s believed some employees have barricaded themselves in conference rooms. Police have noted the situation seems to be related to an armed robbery.
The situation is developing and we’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.
