Paramedics and police officers gather in the parking lot at Lovell McDonell Field in Strathcona Island Park on Friday morning during what police reported as a 'serious incident' that lasted several hours. A man is in custody facing weapons-related charges.--NEWS PHOTO SCOTT SCHMIDT
A 53-year-old male is in custody facing numerous weapons-related charges following an hours-long serious incident at Strathcona Island Park on Friday morning.
Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service were alerted to an incident at roughly 8:30 a.m. where a man was believed to be in possession of a firearm.
Officers attended to discover the man did in fact have a gun, which he then pointed at police. At that point, the park was cordoned off to the general public with help from bylaw officers and fire officials, while a police tactical team and crisis negotiators were deployed to the scene, as well as paramedics who were held on standby.
Officers also used an aerial drone to further aid in securing the scene.
As the safety of all involved was of utmost importance, including the suspect’s, the police used its explosives unit robot to deliver a communications device to the man.
Once in direct communication with the suspect, police were able to negotiate his peaceful surrender. No one was injured during the incident.
The man remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing. He faces charges of pointing a firearm, assault with a weapon, possession of a dangerous weapon, carrying a concealed firearm, careless use of a firearm, possession of a prohibited device, mischief and resisting arrest.
