Man arrested after shots fired at 2 RCMP officers in Pincher Creek
'Dangerous' emergency prompted closure of schools, municipal buildings and some streets
A man has been taken into custody after police say shots were fired at two Mounties in Pincher Creek, Alta., prompting officials to take the unusual step of closing schools, municipal buildings and some streets, and warning the public to stay away from the town.
"One male has been arrested by the Emergency Response Team and charges are pending. No one else was involved in the incident and the situation is resolved," RCMP said in a release issued at about 1 p.m. Wednesday.
No injuries were reported in the emergency, which stretched on for hours in the town of about 3,600 residents 215 kilometres southwest of Calgary.
The incident began at about 4:40 a.m. Wednesday when RCMP responded to reports of shots fired.
When two officers arrived at a home in Pincher Creek, shots were fired at them, police said.
"We had a subject firing off a rifle at members. Our main priority was their safety, then the safety of the community," said Sgt. Mark Harrison, detachment commander, Pincher Creek RCMP.
"I'm relieved that no one was hurt. None of the members were hurt."
The officers were able to safely move back.
The RCMP's emergency response team and a negotiator were called in, as well as RCMP from surrounding communities.
Harvey Thiessen woke up to a police officer at his door early Wednesday telling him about the situation.
"He said there was some excitement here, a problem with the neighbour," he said. "And you might see some [officers] walking around with guns."
Police then escorted Thiessen to another neighbour's where they were instructed to stay inside until officers returned.
Man arrested known to authorities
By early afternoon, a man had been taken into custody without injury. He is known to authorities.
RCMP say two other people, living in the basement, were safely removed from the house.
Bill Elliott, who lives nearby, told CBC News that officers came to his home early Wednesday morning.
"They came to the door and told us to go down in the basement and shut the lights off and stay there until they come and told us different," he said.
The situation was in the vicinity of Matthew Halton High School, the Livingstone Range School Division said earlier.
Just before 6 a.m. Wednesday, a school bus transportation coordinator tried to open the gates to the bus compound at the high school, but was told by an RCMP officer to vacate the area, the school division said.
The decision was made to close down all Pincher Creek schools, the Livingstone Range School Division said.
The Pincher Creek Town Office, Pincher Creek Swimming Pool and Memorial Community Centre Arena also shut down.
The Town of Pincher Creek said St. John Ave. to Robertson Ave. and Main Street to Kettles Street were closed.
With files from Sarah Lawrynuik and Geneviève Normand