Barrie man accused of shooting at police during 16-hour standoff released from custody

A Barrie man at the centre of a 16-hour standoff with police was released from custody three months after his arrest.

The man at the centre of a 16-hour standoff with police while barricaded inside an RV three months ago in a Barrie parking lot was released from custody on Friday.

Dan Mitchell, 43, was granted $15,000 bail and will be on house arrest with a GPS tracking monitor after being released to sureties.

Mitchell faces several weapons charges after allegedly shooting at police during a standoff in a Bayfield Street plaza parking lot in November. He is accused of assault and uttering a threat to cause death or bodily harm to officers during the incident that began around noon on Nov. 19.

That’s when officers were called to the parking lot behind a Barrie plaza along Bayfield street following reports of a man in distress inside a motorhome armed with a gun. Witnesses in the area said they heard at least one shot being fired.

The incident forced police to evacuate neighbouring homes and businesses for several hours while tactical units and crisis negotiators worked overnight until the suspect surrendered without further incident. He was then transported to the hospital for observation.

Police said possible improvised explosive devices were discovered inside the RV and had to be neutralized by the bomb disposal team.

A publication ban prevents any evidence heard at the bail hearing Friday from being disclosed. The accused is scheduled to return to court in March. The allegations against Mitchell have not been tested in court.

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