2 men sent to hospital after stabbing at Calgary church complex

Calgary police say a man is in custody after a Friday afternoon stabbing at a Calgary church complex.

Police said they were called to the 10600 block of West Valley Road S.W. at about 12:40 p.m. for reports of a man in a building stabbing people.

"A daycare in the building was locked down and officers were able to take the man into custody," police said in a statement.

Jason Silver, lead pastor of New Victory Church, wrote in a Facebook post that he wasn't in the building at the time.

"I am OK, I was not in the office today although I usually am. Today I was out of town," he wrote.

"However, prayers would be appreciated for those involved for [a] quick recovery."

Silver wrote that the stabbing took place in the church's Victory Village building a retreat centre that caters to the Christian community and not the church sanctuary or office.

The building contains residences, offices, a church and a daycare.

Police said they located the suspect in the residences and were "able to deescalate the situation to the point that he surrendered."

Two men were takento hospital, one in serious condition and the other in serious but stable condition.

Police said there was no further risk to the public.

Officers were still on scene late in the afternoon investigating and collecting evidence.

The motivation for the stabbings is still under investigation, police said, and the identity of the suspect will not be released until he is formally charged.

In a release, police said that those who find themselves in similar situations should evacuate the building if there is a safe route out, or hide in a secure area if they are trapped.