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Tactical Team Brought In to Resolve INci

Tactical Team Brought In to Resolve Incident

Mar 4, 2019 | 1:40 PM

The Emergency Response Team was brought in to resolve an overnight incident at a Kelowna residential facility where man was thought to have a firearm.

“RCMP received a report of commercial panic alarm from within a residential facility located in the 2600 block of Highway 97 North at 3:43 am,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Security and staff on site confirmed that one of the residents was observed in possession of what appeared to be a firearm.”

Residents at the site were evacuated as a precaution, and part of the highway was closed.

“Although the male resident was seen in possession of the firearm, no reports had been received by police that he had been using it in a threatening manner,” says O’ Donaghey. “Numerous of our front line officers converged on the facility, established surveillance on the individual, controlled access to the area and strategically evacuated some of the building’s residents to awaiting buses and a nearby motel lobby.”

A 38 year-old man was taken into custody, and was found in possession of what turned out to be a pellet gun, with no injuries reported.

“In an effort to bring the unfolding situation to a successful and safe conclusion, RCMP called for the support of the RCMP Southeast District Emergency Response Team. Tactical ERT members, a police canine and a trained negotiator responded to the scene to assist,” adds O’Donaghey.