Lockdown at CFB Shearwater lifted after reports of gunman
Posted Apr 26, 2016 07:07:14 PM.
Last Updated Apr 27, 2016 06:58:28 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CFB SHEARWATER – A lockdown at CFB Shearwater ended after about two and half hour on Tuesday evening following reports of a man with a gun, near the gymnasium on the base.
Cpl. Joshua John, a patrol-man with the Military Police unit in Halifax and one of the senior Military Police officers who was on the scene said the area was immediately concerned after the report was received.
“Due to the nature of the call, we had to exercise caution,” John said in an update at the base just after 8 p.m. Tuesday.
“We arrived on scene, conducted a cordon and for safety reasons we had to evacuate any of the residents and members of the gym and provide them with shelter at a nearby arena.”
He added there were no injuries and no arrests were made, but didn’t provide any other information on the threat, only adding the report was still under investigation.
“It’s still too early in the investigation, but we are increasing patrols and we’re keeping the residents of Shearwater informed to alleviate any of the concerns they may have,” Cpl. John said.
Military Police on base continued going door-to-door Tuesday evening showing an increase in mobile and foot patrols, asking the residents of Shearwater to report any suspicious activity.
Moments after the lockdown reached social media, a note from Shearwater Community Council on Facebook confirmed that Military Police and RCMP were investigating a possible hostile situation, before advising those who lived on base to stay indoors and close their blinds.
A Public Affairs Officer with Halifax Region Canadian Armed Forces said military officials received reports just before 7 p.m. that the individual was no longer in the area.
Shorty after, some of those who lived on the base were also able to leave the gym area to return to their homes.
Several youth who were attending a youth program at the gym also had to be evacuated.
Police later opened Provider Road near the Shearwater Arena just after 7:30 p.m. before the lockdown was lifted shortly after 8 p.m.
(With files from Andrew Pinsent)
