Update: Vancouver Police have arrested the distraught man at the Pacific Rim Hotel.
At about 12:15 p.m. the Vancouver Police Emergency Response Team took the man into custody.
A 28-year-old Surrey resident has been taken to hospital with minor injuries.
He faces possible weapons related charges.
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An armed standoff that began around 2:30 a.m. today (Oct. 15) when a man brandished a handgun to staff at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel was still ongoing as of late this morning.
The area around the waterfront hotel, located on Cordova Street between Howe and Thurlow, remains closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic as police continue to negotiate with the man, a 28-year-old Surrey resident known to police.
The man has not made any demands apart from asking for water and is sitting in a public common area on the second floor.
Although guests of the hotel are unable to leave their rooms, residents of the building who have a separate entrance have been allowed to leave the building, although not gain access to the parking garage.
The let us out a special back entrance that is an emergency fire exit. We are all basically homeless, said resident Shelly Wilson, who was escorted out of the building earlier this morning by members of a SWAT unit. No one is allowed back into the building and the residents are all basically homeless for now.
Residents will receive an email from Fairmonts lawyer, Oggy Talic, advising them when it is safe to return.
No shots have been fired and no injuries have been reported.
Police are advising motorists to avoid the area. Pedestrians are still able to access Canada Place by the underground walkway.
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Twitter: @Flematic
