THUNDER BAY – A man and a woman have been taken into custody following a tense standoff in the 100 block of Heron Street early Wednesday evening.
Police were on the scene shortly before 7 p.m. after reports of an armed man in the area.
According to a witness, a man armed with a gun threatened her friend as she was entering her home.
“She phoned me hysterically saying that the police were there and that some guy threatened her with a gun,” the witness said. “He came out of his house as she was going into hers and he turned to her and said he was going to shoot anything he finds.”
The woman added that her friend was not injured, but just very shook up by the incident.
Members of the public were advised to stay away from the area and police could be heard over a loudspeaker asking the suspect to exit the house with his hands up or to call 911.
Witnesses also reported hearing four loud bangs, possibly from a flash-bang.
Just before 9 p.m. witnesses said a man and a woman were seen exiting the house and police confirmed that a man and woman were taken into custody.
Residents in the area were kept on edge for much of the evening, with some saying things like this do not happen in the neighbourhood.
“This doesn’t happen very often,” a witness said. “We’ve been here for five years now, and this is the most exciting thing that ever happened here.”
“This is very scary to think that this can happen in your neighbourhood,” another witness added.
Police are advising that there is no longer any danger to the public and residents are permitted to return to the area. The investigation is ongoing.
