The Nova Scotia RCMP has arrested two suspects and say they believe there is no longer an immediate risk to public safety after an emergency alert was issued and residents of East Preston, N.S. were told to shelter in place following “two recent shootings” in East and North Preston.
At 11:25 p.m., police announced via Twitter that no injuries were reported, the direction to shelter in place has been lifted and the emergency alert has been cancelled.
The emergency alert, sent shortly after 8 p.m. Friday night, said two suspects were seen running into a wooded area behind Brian Street in East Preston “and are believed to be armed.”
“All residents are to lock their doors and shelter in place. Do not approach suspects and if seen call 911 immediately,” it said.
In an interview just after 8:30 p.m., RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Chris Marshall said officers responded to the shootings around 6:55 p.m.
“While members were responding and investigating, one suspect was arrested and then basically two male suspects fled into the woods behind Brian Street,” he said.
“No one is believed to be injured at this point in either shooting. Obviously as more information comes in, that could change, but right now it’s my understanding that nobody is believed to be injured.”
At 9:20, the Nova Scotia RCMP said in a tweet that one of the suspects had been arrested but the other was still at large. It said additional shots were fired in the Bell Street area, about two kilometres from Brian Street.
As of 11:30 p.m. Friday, it is unclear what happened with the third suspect. The RCMP said more details would be made available on Saturday.