Wiikwemkoong shelter in place lifted, suspect in custody
Residents in the unceded First Nation territory of Wiikwemkoong on Manitoulin Island are breathing a sigh of relief as police announce the emergency advisory has been lifted Wednesday afternoon after more than 24 hours of sheltering in place.
Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police both made the announcement shortly after 3 p.m. that the incident involving an "armed and dangerous" man has been peacefully resolved and the suspect is in custody.
"A community member who was at the centre of the search has turned himself in to authorities safely and peacefully," Ogimaa Kwe (Chief) Rachel Manitowabi told CTV News.
Police say there is no further risk to public safety.
No word on the charges against the 39-year-old local suspect.
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
The incident began Tuesday morning when WTPS advised Wiikwemkoong Board of Education to place all its schools under a 'hold and secure' protocol due to an investigation in the community.
About an hour later, an emergency alert went out to the northeast region telling residents to shelter in place, lock all windows and doors and report all suspicious people to police. It, along with a civil alert, caused confusion and worry in many nearby communities, such as Greater Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.
OPP Sgt. Carlo told CTV News in a phone interview Wednesday morning the shelter in place was limited to Wiikwemkoong and the Alert Ready system does not allow police to send warnings out to individual communities, which is why people off of the island also received the alerts.
Most students were dismissed as usual Tuesday afternoon, with then exception of two areas where police were actively searching.
The chief also explained the decision to dismiss students at the usual time on Tuesday.
"At 2:40 p.m., we received an update from (Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service) advising myself and WBE director that the current situation was contained in a specific location within the community and it was deemed safe for regular dismissal except for the satellite communities of Cape Smith/Kaboni," Manitouwabi said.
"As an additional measure, OPP arrived on Wikwemikong Way to support the safety of our children walking home."
Tuesday night, First Nation council members approved a day off for students on Wednesday as the shelter in place continued.
Members of the Mnidoo Mnising Crisis Response Team are available 24/7 to community members at 705-348-1937.
Tuesday night, it posted a video with tips on how to talk to kids about traumatic events.
"When OPP issues an emergency alert, it is continuously sent out approximately every 4-6 hours until the situation has been resolved," Manitowabi said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.