Baker Lake man charged after firearm incident

Police in Baker Lake have laid firearms-related charges against a man after an incident that prompted a temporary arena lockdown and a series of public safety notices late Nov. 7.

RCMP officers responded shortly after 8 p.m. to a report that a man had discharged a firearm in the community’s 3000 block, an RCMP news release issued Monday said.

Officers found a suspect at the scene but were initially unable to arrest him. The suspect fled but later communicated with police and agreed to turn himself in, the release said.

Police charged Norman Haqpi, 58, with careless use of a firearm, pointing a firearm, discharging a firearm, and assault with a weapon.

Haqpi was held in custody and scheduled to appear in court via teleconference for a bail hearing Monday.

No injuries were reported, the release said.

As the incident unfolded, the Hamlet of Baker Lake issued public safety messages on Facebook advising residents of an “ongoing issue” and directing parents to pick up children from the arena, which was temporarily placed under lockdown.

By 12:16 a.m. on Nov. 8, hamlet officials said the community hall had closed and all children had been safely returned home.

In a further notice at 1:29 a.m., the hamlet said RCMP were “managing a situation involving an individual,” urging residents to avoid speculation while police secured the area.

A final safety update issued at 10:19 a.m. confirmed the situation was “fully resolved” and normal activities could resume.