A Central Frontenac man is facing serious charges after he allegedly shot someone and lit a church on fire in Parham, Ont., according to Ontario Provincial Police.
Officers were called to the village, located approximately 45 minutes north of Kingston, shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Sunday with reports of gunfire, OPP said in a statement.
Police said a person was treated for minor injuries.
The blaze started in a home and then spread to the nearby church, St. James Anglican. Both buildings were destroyed by the fire.
Images from the scene posted on social media showed the structure engulfed in flames.
Several OPP units, including the emergency response team, canine unit and crisis negotiators, along with officers from other police detachments, were searching for the suspect, identified as Brian Daniel Mosher, 42, of Central Frontenac, as of early Monday.
After hours of searching for Mosher, around 7:30 a.m. Monday, OPP arrested him at a residence in the Hartington, Ont., area, just south of Parham. Police say he was arrested without incident.
Mosher has been charged with the following:
- two counts of attempt to commit murder using a firearm
- discharging a firearm into or at a place in a reckless manner
- two counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm
- two counts of arson
- using a firearm while committing offence
- careless use of a firearm
- possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- unauthorized possession of a firearm
OPP said several homes were evacuated as a precaution and part of Highway 38 was closed.
Although the investigation is ongoing, police say there is no further concern for public safety.
OPP have once again allowed residents to return to their homes, and the section of Highway 38 has been reopened.
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