2 children dead, 1 man in custody in northwest Calgary

A man is in custody after two children were found dead in a Jeep in Calgary's northwest on Thursday.

Two children are dead and a man is in police custody in northwest Calgary.

Police said Thursday morning they were dealing with “a serious incident” in the area of 14 Street and John Laurie Boulevard N.W.

At 10 a.m., 14th was shuttered in both directions north of John Laurie.

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As of noon, the roadway remained closed to traffic.

The closed-off area included the turnoff into the District 3 police station at Northhaven Drive N.W.

Police vehicles could be seen around a Jeep SUV.

A tarp was visible at the Jeep.

According to police, two children believed to be under the age of 10 are dead and an adult male is in custody.

Police said a phone call alerted them to the vehicle, and that the children were found deceased inside.

Homicide detectives have taken over.

Identification of the children and investigation of what exactly occurred are ongoing.

“There is no active threat to public safety,” police said.

“This is an active situation, and more details will be provided when available.

“Please give our members room to work.”

Residents along 14th were kept in their homes as the investigation unfolded outside their front windows.

Several residents said the vehicle in question is not familiar to the neighbourhood.

One resident said it was not parked at the scene as late as at 8 a.m. Thursday.

“It’s not something you ever think you’re going to experience,” said area resident Sara Carscallen.

“I can’t imagine how the cops are feeling right now—probably absolutely beside themselves, because it was right in front of their station.

“Just absolutely devastating.”

Insp. Darren Smith said the situation is a difficult one for officers.

“Our officers are human, and this is heartbreaking for everyone,” Smith said.

Police said their Victim Assistance Support Team (VAST) has been brought in.

VAST offers services “to victims and witnesses of crime or tragedy.”

Around 3:30 p.m., police posted to social media that the roadway had been reopened.

With files by CTV News Calgary’s Kevin Green