Knife-wielding suspect arrested after Parry Sound lockdown

An Ontario Provincial Police officer handcuffs an unknown male suspect in this undated image. (File photo/Ontario Provincial Police/Facebook)

Ontario Provincial Police ordered residents in part of Parry Sound to shelter-in-place on Thursday afternoon, following reports of a potentially armed individual.

In a social media post at 1:49 p.m., police warned of an increased presence near Miller Street, Mary Street and William Street due to an ongoing investigation. By 2:47 p.m., OPP expanded the alert, instructing residents in several surrounding streets to stay indoors and avoid the area after reports of a person possibly armed with a weapon.

Arrest made after police search

Police later confirmed they were responding to a weapons call near James Street.

“It was reported the individual was shouting and walking around with a knife,” OPP said in a news release Friday.

Multiple units, including the emergency response team and canine unit along with police drones, assisted in locating the suspect.

As a result of the incident, a 31-year-old local man was charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failing to comply with a release order.

Shelter-in-place lifted

At 3:02 p.m., authorities lifted the shelter-in-place order, confirming the individual was in custody. At that time, authorities advised residents they could resume normal activities but warned of a continued police presence as the investigation concluded.

Police have asked anyone with information about the incident on July 31 to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 6.