Patients whose appointments were affected by the incident are asked to contact their specific program area with questionsPublished Apr 14, 2025 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 2 minute readThe new adult Mental Health and Addictions Centre (MHAC) in St. John’s. – The Telegram file photo Photo by Cameron Kilfoy /THE TELEGRAMThe province’s interim health minister says a reported weapons-related threat at the new Mental Health and Addictions Centre in St. John’s Monday is hopefully a “teething problem.”John Haggie spoke with reporters outside the House of Assembly after Memorial University issued a shelter-in-place order for the area around the Health Sciences Centre, the medical school, and the Animal Resources Centre that lasted about an hour.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content John Haggie speaks to reporters outside the House of Assembly in March. – Telegram file photo Photo by File /THE TELEGRAM“I think it’s a kind of coincidence,” Haggie said of the timing of the incident, which happened a day after the mental health facility opened. “You know, some of the people in the… new mental health facility, their behaviors are unusual, and I think that may have started this off, and hopefully it’ll just be part of a teething problem for that particular facility.”The new 102-bed facility, adjacent to the Health Sciences Centre, is an upgraded replacement for the 170-year-old Waterford Hospital. The move began early last week and wrapped up on Sunday, when staff and an expected 90 to 100 patients moved into the new place from the old one.Later Monday afternoon, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary confirmed it had received a report of a weapons-related threat at the new facility shortly before 1p.m. and located the 40-year-old suspect at his home 45 minutes later. He didn’t have a weapon at that time.The man is being held in custody to appear in provincial court on mischief charges.Article contentHealthcare services continued for patients insideA spokeswoman for NL Health Services told The Telegram access was temporarily restricted at the Health Sciences complex “due to a police investigation,” but normal operations have resumed. Memorial University of Newfoundland issued this advisory through its MUN Safe app Monday afternoon, April 14, 2025, as the result of a reported weapons-related threat at the new Mental Health and Addictions Facility. – Submitted photoHealthcare services continued during the shelter-in-place order for patients already inside the facility and for emergency situations, she explained. Patients whose appointments were affected by the incident are asked to contact the specific program area of the appointment if they have questions.“This restricted access was initiated to control the entrance/exit of persons to the health-care facility in response to an external threat,” the spokeswoman said.“Restricted access is put in place to enhance the protection and safety of staff, physicians, patients and visitors, as needed. NL Health Services thanks patients, staff and the public for their cooperation during this situation.”Article content
Weapons-related threat at new mental health and addictions facility hopefully a ‘teething issue,’ says NL health minister
