Police diffuse armed stand off in Nakusp
By Trail Champion
It took police hours to prevent a very violent end to an armed stand off in Nakusp on Monday, according to RCMP Cpl Ryan Fehler.
“On June 9, the Nakusp RCMP received a report that a male attended the British Columbia Service Building in Nakusp and was damaging a vehicle with a shovel,” Fehler said in a press release issude Friday. “It was then reported that the same male had now driven to an address in Nakusp and began to throw large rocks through the front windows of a residence.
He said police immediately responded, but initially couldn’t find the man, a 38-year-old Nakusp resident. They later located him at his home, which Fehler said was only a short way away.
“Police communicated with the suspect in an attempt to execute an arrest and ascertain his mental health, however the male barricaded himself in his residence and was holding what appeared to be a knife,” Fehler explained. “The male advised police officers that he was in possession of a firearm and made several comments to try (to) entice a violent interaction with police.
“Additional police officers attended and the immediate area was closed off to ensure the safety of residents. The male continued to express that the situation would escalate to violence and proceeded to pour gasoline on the deck of the residence. The Nakusp Fire Department and BC Ambulance Service were called to further ensure the safety of everyone involved.
“After approximately two-and-a-half hours of continued communication, police were able to take the male into custody without incident. It was determined that the victims of the offences were known to the suspect and that this was not a random act of violence.”
Fehler said the man appeared in Castlegar Provincial Court on June 11, where a psychiatric evaluation was ordered. His next appearance will be on June 22.
“The Nakusp RCMP would like to thank everyone for their cooperation during this stressful situation and the BC Ambulance Service and the Nakusp Fire Department for their assistance.”
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