Authorities in Lethbridge say they have arrested a man in connection with a high risk incident in the community on Thursday morning.
According to Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) officials, a man who claimed to be suicidal called 911 early Thursday morning. The caller indicated he had a weapon and wanted to engage police. Officers responded to the man's location and he fled the area in a vehicle.
Police pursued the suspect vehicle throughout the city at speeds in excess of 100 km/h. The vehicle was disabled in the eastbound lanes of Whoop Up Drive and officers closed the road to traffic.
Additional LPS resources, including the TAC Team and Explosive Disposal Unit, were deployed to the scene. Police confirmed the suspect was armed and the Medicine Hat Police Service Armoured Rescue Vehicle responded.
The suspect remained in the vehicle for several hours while communicating with an LPS officer and a crisis negotiator. Shorly before 6:00 a.m., the man surrendered to police without incident.
Officers seized an SKS rifle and 54 rounds of ammunition from the vehicle.
“This was an extremely dangerous situation for everyone involved,” said LPS Chief Rob Davis. “We relied on a number of resources and took every precaution possible to ensure the safety of the public, the safety of our officers and ultimately the subject who was safely taken into custody.”
Charges are pending against the unnamed 20-year-old who remains in police custody.
