Northern Ontario man in custody after hours-long standoff with police

A Nishnawbe Aski Police Service vehicle is shown in this undated image. (File photo/Nishnawbe Aski Police Service/Facebook)

A 44-year-old man from Eabametoong First Nation is in custody following an early morning barricade situation on Tuesday.

The incident began when members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service responded to a call about a disturbance outside a residential address in the community in the early hours of Nov. 4.

“When police arrived on scene, they learned a male suspect had been making threats,” the police service said in a news release.

Threats, containment

Police said the man had fled into a home as officers arrived.

“While barricaded inside the home, the male suspect threatened to use a firearm,” said police.

“Police responded by containing the area and evacuating nearby homes in an effort to maintain community safety.”

Peaceful resolution

The situation concluded after approximately two hours. Nishawbe Aski police reported that, following ongoing communication, the suspect exited the home and was taken into custody without further incident.

As a result, the 44-year-old local man was charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

He appeared for bail court on Nov. 4 and was remanded into custody pending a future court date.