January 23,2026
RED FM News Desk
Authorities responded quickly Thursday to reports of a man pointing a gun at bus passengers in Abbotsford, only to find the weapon was fake.
The Abbotsford Police Department said the incident occurred near Highway 1 and McCallum Road shortly before 1:30 p.m.
“Officers quickly arrived in the area, located the man, and safely took him into custody,” the department posted on social media.
Police also shared a photo of the recovered “imitation firearm,” a black handgun-like object. No one was injured during the incident.
The B.C. Prosecution Service has approved charges against James Earl Desjarlais for robbery and using an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence. Desjarlais remained in custody Friday ahead of a bail hearing.
Law enforcement in B.C. has increasingly warned about imitation firearms—including airsoft guns sold at major retailers—because they can quickly escalate situations and pose serious risks. Last year, Vancouver became the first Canadian city to ban gun-shaped lighters over similar safety concerns.
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