WATCH: Peter DeGroot continues to elude police in Slocan area. Reporter Jeremy Hunka has the latest.
The Interior town of Slocan is entering day four of the search for a man police believe is armed and dangerous.
Last night, police issued a direct appeal to 45-year-old Peter DeGroot, asking him to surrender and talk to them to resolve the standoff peacefully.
A formal lockdown has been lifted, but residents are still being told to stay off the streets as police continue to hunt for the suspect.
DeGroot is believed to be hiding in the forests on the edge of Slocan.
Late on Thursday evening, RCMP established a containment area to the west of Slocan where they believe the suspect is hiding, but so far have yet to find him.
Meanwhile some Slocan residents are turning to social media to show their support for DeGroot.
A facebook group has been set up called the Peter DeGroot support community group.
As of Sunday night there were seven likes on the page.
One woman, who identifies herself as Dionne DeGroot wrote on the facebook page,
“I’m glad they have largely lifted the lock down as there was no need for it in the first place. May your mother in heaven protect and guide you through this.”
Her relationship to DeGroot is not known.
RCMP say the situation began at 12:21 p.m., when they responded to a dispute between two people on Slocan West Road near Gravel Pit Road.
While they were on the scene DeGroot allegedly fired at police with a long rifle before running into the surrounding forest.
Police say DeGroot is believed to be armed. They have searched his residence and seized a number of firearms.
He is known to police.
DeGroot is Caucasian, 6ft1, 170lbs, with short brown (balding) hair, blue eyes and glasses.
Police say remote rugged terrain around Slocan is making the search for the suspect difficult.
But residents think DeGroot is long gone.
Police have also acknowledged that they may be prepared for the possibility that DeGroot escaped the containment zone set up by the RCMP and disappeared into the wilderness.
According to residents, DeGroot lived in a makeshift house and tended to cows on a field. They say he is an experienced bushman.
Anyone with information directly related to DeGroot’s movements or sightings is asked to call 9-1-1.
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