A police event that started Monday morning tied up traffic in west Edmonton for several hours.
Officers were first called at about 10:45 p.m. Sunday – they were called about a man whose family and friends feared for his emotional well-being. Police said there were reports the man had a weapon and was driving a vehicle.
Police managed to find the vehicle, and tried to conduct a traffic stop – but the driver drove away. Officers tracked the vehicle with help from Air 1, and the man was seen going into a home in the area of 90 Avenue and 154 Street.
Negotiators were called in – and they stayed in contact with the 31-year-old man, who remained barricaded in the home through the night and into Monday morning.
A mobile command post was set up a few blocks away and another was set up closer to the scene. Neighbours living close to the home at the centre of the incident told CTV News police told them to stay in their basements.
Police said just before 6:30 a.m. Monday that 149 street and 156 Street, between 88 Avenue and 93 Avenue were closed as a result of the incident.
“We surrounded that residence and safely contained and negotiated the capture of this individual,” Insp. Gary Godziuk said.
Hours later, police said 149 Street had reopened.
Due to the incident, students of Ecole Notre-Dame School were redirected to Maurice Lavallee School due to the incident.
Just before 11 a.m., police said the event had ended – at about 10:30 a.m. the male was taken into custody at the home without incident.
Police are investigating, and charges are pending.
With files from Nicole Weisberg
