Peaceful end to police standoff near Vernon; man arrested

UPDATE – Vernon RCMP say the Torrent Drive standoff has been resolved peacefully and the man is in custody.

“We extend our gratitude especially to those residents who were displaced from their homes or asked to remain inside and for their patience and understanding during what was a very dynamic situation,” said police spokesperson Cst. Kelly Brett.

The evacuated residents are being allowed to return to their homes.

UPDATE – RCMP say they have made contact with the distraught man and negotiations continue to try to convince him to surrender peacefully.

Some homes in the immediate vicinity have been evacuated. It’s not known when the affected residents will be allowed to return.

Police say the situation was triggered by a phone call they received from the man Sunday night.

RCMP are asking some Coldstream residents to stay inside their homes as they deal with an ‘unfolding’ police incident involving a distraught man who has barricaded himself in his residence.

Police say the incident began late Sunday night when RCMP were called to a home in the 1180 block of Torrent Drive to deal with a distraught male believed to be alone and armed with a gun.

As a precaution, RCMP evacuated immediate neighbours to the residence.

“Police are asking all remaining residents, within the immediate area of the 11800 block of Torrent Drive, to stay inside and seek shelter within their homes”. RCMP spokesperson Cst. Kelly Brett said. “RCMP also ask that the general public avoid the area, as temporary road closures have been put in place.”

The following roads are affected: Torrent Drive, Kidston Road and Cottonwood Lane.

This morning, police allowed Nicholas Mann and his girlfriend to leave the restricted area so they could attend classes at Okanagan College.

“It’s pretty shocking,” said Mann. “Living in Coldstream I didn’t really expect anything like that to happen. It’s definitely a shocker.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's pretty shocking," said Mann. "Living in Coldstream I didn't really expect anything like that to happen. It's definitely a shocker."

RCMP are asking the media and social media users to refrain from publicizing the physical location of its officers including verbal descriptors, photographs and videos.