Prolific offender accused in attempted kidnapping of 7-year-old at Chilliwack elementary school
Local RCMP held press conference May 14 to share details of case involving 50-year-old Joel Gordon McGillis
May 15, 2026 (Updated May 22, 2026)
A 50-year-old man with an extensive criminal record, mostly from the Okanagan, is behind bars facing a kidnapping charge in a disturbing case where he allegedly grabbed a seven-year-old girl at a Chilliwack elementary school while wearing a cartoon mask.
Chilliwack RCMP confirmed Thursday (May 14, 2026) that charges were laid against Joel McGillis who allegedly attempted to abduct the child from Chilliwack's Central Elementary School. He remains in custody after a court appearance in Abbotsford provincial court last Friday (May 15, 2026), and again today (May 22).
The majority of child abductions are one side of a parental relationship in a fight, but this incident is apparently random, which has prompted the Chilliwack RCMP to hold an unusual media event Friday morning at the detachment on Airport Road.
On May 13 at the very specific 9:09 a.m., police say they were notified of an attempted abduction of a seven-year-old girl from the school grounds of Chilliwack Central Elementary School. A man had allegedly attempted to remove the child from school property before a concerned citizen intervened and brought the child back to the school. The child was uninjured.
A short time later, a man matching the description was located nearby. Police were able to arrest him and take him into custody.
Chilliwack RCMP issued a news release stating that McGillis is charged with kidnapping a person under 16 years of age.
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McGillis is also facing one count of assault with a weapon in connection with an alleged incident in Vancouver on April 4. He has an extensive criminal record.
"Police believe this to be an isolated incident."
Police are seeking witnesses who may have been in the area between Central Elementary School and the 46000-block of Margaret Avenue between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. on May 13, 2026.
"If anyone observed an individual wearing a purple bunny-like mask, please contact the Chilliwack RCMP as you might have information that could assist the investigation," according to the local police news release.
“Chilliwack RCMP is taking this incident extremely seriously. The safety of children in our community is a key priority, and we recognize how concerning this type of event is for families,” said Supt. Darren Pankratz, Officer in Charge of the Chilliwack RCMP. “We are working closely with the school district as this investigation continues, and we thank the members of the public who assisted in ensuring the child’s safety and helping police quickly locate and arrest the suspect.”
McGillis still apparently does not have a lawyer. His appearance Friday (May 22, 2026) was put over to Tuesday.
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