An incident requiring the Lethbridge Police Service’s critical incident team was concluded peacefully on Wednesday night after a number of residents of a west-side neighbourhood were blocked from accessing their street for about four hours.
According to an update issued by LPS on Thursday, a 34-year-old man was taken into custody under the Mental Health Act following a standoff that lasted several hours.
Police were called to the home on Blackfoot Manor West at about 2 p.m. after reports of concerning phone calls the man had reportedly had with others.
LPS then received information there were weapons in the home, so the critical incident response team and tactical team were deployed.
Many residents sat in the parking lot of nearby G.S. Lakie Middle School for as long as four hours waiting for police to resolve the situation.
Some residents said a number of loud noises could be heard shortly after police arrived, and officers could be heard repeatedly over a loudspeaker.
LPS confirmed in its statement they were unable to establish communications with the man, and distraction devices were set off after containing the area.
The heavy police presence included the K-9 unit and an LPS explosives truck.
Police said the man exited the home at about 5:45 p.m. and he was taken into custody without incident. No charges have been laid and the 34-year-old’s identity is not being released.
Police thanked the public on social media for their assistance in the matter by avoiding the area.
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