Clyde River man fired gun into RCMP commander’s home after committing assault, police say

The Nunavut RCMP says the suspect in a Clyde River shooting incident Thursday committed an assault and then fired a gun into the home of the local RCMP detachment commander as part of a morning standoff in the Baffin community.

Police issued a public warning early Thursday morning for residents to stay inside their homes due to an active shooter situation. The RCMP explained why in a Dec. 18 news release.

At 8:30 a.m. that morning, police responded to what they called “a serious assault.”

Afterwards, a man they say was intoxicated is alleged to have gone to the residence of the local police detachment commander, armed, and fired two rounds through the front window of his home, where the commander’s spouse and children were at home.

No one in the home was injured.

But that activated the RCMP’s active shooter response, at which point local police called in support from RCMP units outside the community and territory.

Police did not provide more detail about the standoff, but say the suspect surrendered around mid-day and was taken into custody without incident.

The RCMP have not named the suspect, but said he faces “numerous” charges, including uttering threats, assault with a weapon and firearm offences.

Nunavut RCMP’s major crime unit continues to investigate.

Police said the victim of the original assault was released from the health-care centre later in the day “with appropriate support in place.”

The RCMP members in Clyde River and their families have also been provided support, the RCMP said, and additional officers are now stationed in the community.