PEI

Man facing attempted murder charges in Summerside weapons incident

A 32-year-old man is facing charges of attempted murder after an incident in Summerside on Saturday that prompted police to close off several streets and warn nearby residents to remain indoors.

Police had issued emergency alert warning nearby residents to remain indoors

Summerside Police car
Summerside police say they will maintain a presence in the area throughout the evening. (Brian Higgins/CBC)

A 32-year-old man is facing charges of attempted murder after an incident in Summerside, P.E.I.,  on Saturday that prompted police to close off several streets and warn nearby residents to remain indoors.

Summerside police issued an emergency alert shortly before 2 p.m. advising of an active investigation involving a weapons complaint in the area of Spring Street at Convent Street.

Shortly after 2 p.m., crisis negotiators from Summerside Police Services and P.E.I. RCMP were able to make contact with the suspect and negotiate his surrender.

Police issued an update at about 3:30 p.m. saying the situation had "been resolved" and that residents were safe to resume activities but police would remain in the area throughout the evening.

3 taken into custody

Shortly after 6 p.m., Summerside police provided another update saying three people had been taken into custody: a 32-year-old man, a 32-year-old woman and a 65-year-old woman.

The man faces charges of attempted murder, multiple drug trafficking-related offences, and various firearms and weapons offences, according to a news release. The 32-year-old woman faces charges of pointing a firearm. The 65-year-old woman was released from custody.

Police said they were first made aware of the incident at 7:50 a.m. when it was reported a firearm had been discharged during a disturbance at a residence on Spring Street.

Victim not injured

The victim was not injured. Police believe the three people are all known to one another and the victim was not randomly targeted.

The investigation is ongoing and police expect to remain at the scene overnight and into Sunday pending processing by Summerside and Charlottetown police forensic identification units.

Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact Summerside police at 1-902-432-1201 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).