Report of gunshots, threats leads to arrest of Sanikiluaq man

A 37-year-old Sanikiluaq man has been arrested after allegedly firing a gun and threatening people inside a residence.

Sanikiluaq RCMP responded to a firearms complaint at a townhouse in the 1000 block at about 11:10 p.m. Saturday, according to an RCMP news release Wednesday.

People in the home were able to escape unharmed and the two officers on scene secured the area and evacuated neighbours.

When the officers were unable to communicate with the suspect, they entered the residence and arrested the man.

During the arrest, the suspect and one officer each “sustained minor injuries,” according to the release. The two were treated at a health centre, and the suspect was taken into custody.

The incident lasted about four hours, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. George Henrie said Wednesday. He said no shots were fired during the arrest.

Henrie declined to provide further information on the extent of injuries suffered by the officer and the suspect.

“That information will be presented in court as evidence. What I can say is the injuries were not as a result of the suspect’s firearm,” he said in an email.

The suspect faces five charges: careless use of a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, resisting arrest, discharging a firearm at the public, and assaulting a police officer.

He is being held in custody and was transported to Iqaluit. He was scheduled to make a second court appearance on Wednesday.