Report: Police operation at Ubisoft Montreal was due to hoax

Update, 7:40 p.m. ET: SPVM (the Montreal Police) released a statement confirming the situation is under control, but that the investigation is still ongoing.

Update: 7:25 p.m. ET: Ubisoft issues statement on situation, thanking police for their work.

Update 5:10 p.m. ET: Montreal police confirm to local news that the initial 911 call that called them to the Ubisoft offices was a hoax.

Update, 3:55 p.m. ET: Police are evacuating the building and are still investigating.

Update, 3:30 p.m. ET: Both the Montreal police and Ubisoft haven't confirmed that it's a hostage situation, so we've updated our story accordingly.

Update, 3:13 p.m. ET: The Montreal police said that officers are investigating and no injuries have been reported.

What you need to know

• A large police operation occurred Friday at the Ubisoft Montreal offices.
• Ubisoft employees were on the roof for a few hours before being evacuated.
• Police are confirming now that the 911 report that resulted in the operation was a hoax.

A large police investigation that occurred at the Ubisoft Montreal offices Friday was the result of a hoax, the CBC confirmed with local police.

There were reports initially of a possible hostage situation, but that couldn't be confirmed by either Ubisoft or police.

"We are aware of the situation and working with local authorities," a spokesperson for Ubisoft said in a statement to Windows Central. "It's important that we do not get in the way of their work at the moment. We are waiting for the official statement.

The Journal de Montreal was one of the first to report that something was happening in the area, but noted that police couldn't confirm any information.

A heavy police presence, including specialized officers in tactical gear, was on the scene, according to both the Montreal police's Twitter account and footage taken by TVA Nouvelles, a local French language TV news station. The police asked people to avoid the area during the investigation.

According to local news footage from the French-language LCN, many of the employee were moved to the roof. The images also show that the door opening to the roof had been barricaded from the outside. Developer Eric Pope confirmed that it was Ubisoft employees on the roof on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/MrPope/status/1327329554294312963?s=20

Ubisoft has multiple buildings in the area. Many employees are still working from home due to the pandemic.

Update, 3:13 p.m. ET — Montreal police say no injuries reported at scene

The Montreal police posted on Twitter a few more details about the investigation. The tweet said that officers were sent to the location following a 911 call and that no injuries have been reported at this time.

The police are continuing to investigate.

Update, 3:30 p.m. ET — Police, Ubisoft don't confirm hostage situation

A statement from the Montreal police and Ubisoft haven't confirmed that it's a hostage situation. We've updated our story accordingly and will continue to monitor the situation.

Update, 3:55 p.m. ET — Police are evacuating the building

In a tweet, Montreal police said they are evacuating the building. Video footage from a chopper confirms that the employees are leaving the roof.

The police added that no threats have been detected, but they are still investigating.

Update, 5:10 p.m. ET — Police confirm that situation that caused operation was a hoax

The CBC was able to confirm with police that the 911 call that triggered the police investigation was a hoax. We've reached out to Ubisoft for comment. Montreal Police haven't issued an official statement at the time of this writing.

Update, 7:25 p.m. ET — Ubisoft releases statement on situation

Ubisoft tweeted a statement Friday evening thanking the Montreal Police for their work on Friday.

The company noted that it was all "resolved without incident" and that it's focus will be on ensuring the "health and wellbeing" of those affecteed. The studio didn't confirm any parts about the investigation into the incident.

Update, 7:40 p.m. ET — Montreal police confirm situation is under control, investigation is ongoing

The SPVM (the Montreal Police) released a statement Friday evening confirming that the situation is under control, but that they're still investigating. They did confirm that the original 911 call was for a hostage situation, but found no threat at the scene.

The employees that were evacuated were brought to an area where investigators could take their statements.