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
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.