Prolific offender accused in attempted kidnapping of 7-year-old at Chilliwack elementary school
Local RCMP plan press conference Friday about case involving 50-year-old Joel Gordon McGillis
A 50-year-old man with an extensive criminal record, mostly from the Okanagan, is behind bars facing charges in a disturbing case of randomly grabbing 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. There was, however, no record of charges filed linked to McGillis or the RCMP file number shared with the public as of late Thursday. He might be due in court on Friday, but as of Thursday there was no record that he is actually scheduled in court.
Local police take interest
The vast majority of child abductions are one side of a parental relationship in a fight, but this incident is allegedly random, which has prompted the Chilliwack RCMP to hold a highly 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 ischarged with kidnapping a person under 16 years of age. Unfortunately, there is no online evidence that this charge exists or is that McGillis is in custody or not, according to court services online. Local police communications says McGillis remains in custody and his next court appearance is scheduled for May 15, however, again, there is no record of this on CSO.
McGillis is, however, scheduled in court in Vancouver on May 15 facing one count of assault with a weapon in connection with an alleged incident in that city on April 4. He has an extensive criminal record.
Despite no sign of charges on CSO, Chilliwack RCMP say McGillis is charged and he and the child are not known to one another.
"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.”
-30-
Want to support independent journalism?
Consider becoming a paid subscriber or make a one-time donation so I can continue this work.
Paul J. Henderson
pauljhenderson@gmail.com
facebook.com/PaulJHendersonJournalist
instagram.com/wordsarehard_pjh
x.com/PeeJayAitch
wordsarehard-pjh.bsky.social