Two people are dead and two are injured following a shooting at after an incident at the Western Forest Products mill in Nanaimo on Wednesday morning.
A suspect was taken into custody, RCMP have confirmed.
Police said they were called at about 7 a.m. after reports of shots fired, and within minutes officers were on the scene and took a suspect into custody.
Police hadn't released any information about the identity of the victims, the suspect or a potential motive for the shooting.
Sarah Plank of the Island Health Authority confirmed one person was airlifted to Victoria General Hospital, where the victim's condition was listed as critical. Another was at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital in stable condition, she said.
Pat Kinney of the United Steelworkers, which represents workers at the mill, said the union was aware of the shooting but knew little else.
"At this point, we don't know if there are any fatalities or the status of the individuals," he said.
"We don't have any names either at this point. (There has been) no mention of the shooter other than he has been apprehended."
At the mill, crying family members had gathered outside the facility, awaiting word about whether their loved ones were involved.
Jim Gallant, a longtime worker at the mill, was at work Wednesday morning when the shootings began. His common-law wife Shelly McKenze said she received a text from him indicating he was OK, but they employees were told by police at the time they could not leave the building. Another worker later indicated they employees had been sent home for the day.
Police will hold a news conference at the Nanaimo RCMP detachment at noon.
Daily News staff members Cara McKenna and Aaron Hinks are on the scene and will provide updates.
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