A man wielding a knife in View Royal has been taken into custody and transported to hospital for medical assessment after police subdued the suspect with a taser.

West Shore RCMP were called to assist View Royal Fire Rescue with a distraught man at Pheasant Lane and Helmcken Road in View Royal, just after 4 p.m. Thursday.

The suspect was located in the middle of Pheasant Lane, police said in a release, where officers attempted to check on his well-being. After several attempts at gathering information, the man took out a knife and started walking away from police, ignoring commands to drop the weapon. At one point during the incident the suspect allegedly turned and came towards police. According to police, he was subsequently subdued using a conducted energy weapon, also known as a taser.

The 19-year-old Esquimalt man was taken into custody and transported to hospital for medical assessment.

West Shore RCMP spokesperson Alex Berube said in a release "our primary goal is to ensure public safety," adding that "fortunately no one was injured during this incident."

View Royal Fire Chief, Paul Hurst, who witnessed the scene said RCMP officers involved reacted professionally, compassionately and appropriately given the rapidly escalating circumstance.

The suspect is facing charges of failure to comply with probation order, failure to comply with undertaking given by Justice or Judge and obstruction of a peace officer.

RCMP would not comment further on the case as it is now before the courts. They are asking anyone with information to contact them at 250-474-2264 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com