1 person arrested during operation on Yellowknife's Gitzel Street, RCMP say

RCMP say a person who was armed is now under arrest during a police operation on Yellowknife's Gitzel Street. 

RCMP warned people to stay away from the area in a news release issued around 2:40 p.m. on Friday.

Cpl. Gavin Layman, an officer at the scene, confirmed that a person has been arrested.

In a news release issued about three hours later, RCMP said that the incident began at around 1:30 p.m., when police responded to a report of a man "posing a threat" at the temporary day shelter on 49th Street. 

Police said the man had allegedly made threats with what appeared to be a firearm after he was denied food at the shelter. While they were heading to the shelter, RCMP learned the man had gone to an apartment building in the Gitzel Street area.

Multiple police units, including an emergency response team, members of a crisis negotiation team, police dogs and traffic services responded to the Gitzel Street scene, as well as Yellowknife's Municipal Enforcement Division.

Earlier Friday afternoon, police vehicles were in the parking lot of Fort Gary Apartments on Gitzel Street. Northview property management was also on the scene. 

A small group who couldn't get into their homes gathered in the parking lot of the neighbouring Matonabee North building.

RCMP say the man was safely taken into police custody, and that their investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.