SUDBURY -- Update:

After several tense hours on Manitoulin Island, Ontario Provincial Police have lifted the “shelter in place” order on M’Chigeeng First Nation and Highway 551 area.

This all comes after an emergency alert about an “armed and dangerous” individual was sent out Saturday afternoon as officers searched for 32-year-old Victor Branco. He remains at large as of 10:15 p.m.

While police now say Branco is not believed to be a public safety risk, residents are asked not to approach him and call 911 with any information on his whereabouts.

"OPP resources have been scaled back and the search continues," police said in a news release Saturday night. "The OPP reminds the public to be aware of their personal safety at all times."

CTV News has reached out to OPP for more information, but few details have been released at this time.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

Original:

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have issued a public alert advising residents on Manitoulin Island, specifically in the M’Chigeeng First Nation community and the area of Highway 551, to shelter in a safe place as they pursue a suspect who is considered armed and dangerous.

Police have confirmed the suspect is 32-year-old Victor Branco and are asking members of the public to avoid the area as the search is on-going.

Police say Branco is not a M’Chigeeng citizen but is known to the community and was previously banned by Chief and Council last year. 

CTV News has not yet confirmed the reason why the suspect was banned but police did say it was drug related.  M’Chigeeng First Nation remains under a social state of emergency as it relates to opioids.

The public alert was issued using Canada’s “Alert Ready” system which delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians through television, radio and LTE-connected and compatible wireless devices.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

This is a developing story…Check back often for updates.