Guns drawn on street

UPDATED: 12:09 p.m.

A quiet residential area of Vernon was the scene of heavy police presence Thursday night.

RCMP say they were called to a home on 11th Ave around 10 p.m. to the report of a distraught man who was allegedly armed.

All available units responded and were met by people from the home who had safely escaped. 

Officers learned that a distraught man was alone inside the home armed with a long gun. 

Police could hear the man yelling from inside as they surrounded the home. 

The tense situation deescalated, once police had the home contained the man exited unarmed.

"Any incident involving a report of a firearm is of highest priority for the RCMP and officers responded to the call immediately and with appropriate action," says Const. Kelly Brett. "In this particular incident, the male was aware police were in the area and exited the home unarmed and was taken into custody. No one was injured."

A 44-year-old Vernon man is facing multiple firearms charges and is scheduled to appear in court today. 

RCMP will not be releasing any further details. 

UPDATE: 11:45 p.m. Feb 15, 2018

Residents living on a small street on Middleton Mountain said the situation seems to be calming down after police flooded the area with guns drawn.

"Apparently it’s calming down and some police have left," said one woman.

At least six police vehicles were observed but it is not clear what lead to the heavy police presence. 

Castanet. will update once more information becomes available.

ORIGINAL: 11:30 p.m.

Numerous police officers swarmed a residential street in Vernon with their guns drawn on Thursday night.

Mount Baldur Drive on Middleton Mountain has been closed off after a heavy police presence filled the street.

Neighbours noticed the heavy police presence on the street, which has just under 20 homes, after 10:30 p.m.

One woman said police seem to be focused on her friend’s home.

“It’s at a friends house,” said the woman. “About six police cars, some police with guns drawn,” she said.

The neighbour was taking out her garbage when police flooded the street.
 
“She was taking her garbage out when police showed up. (They) yelled at her to go inside,” the woman told Castanet.

“She can’t really tell what’s going on.”

Castanet has reached out to RCMP for more information and will update when it becomes available.