High-risk police operation underway in Kamloops, B.C.
RCMP tell nearby residents to stay inside with 'doors and windows locked'
UPDATE — Oct. 28, 2017: RCMP say the incident has ended and one man has been arrested. More here.
EARLIER:
Kamloops RCMP are asking residents of a local trailer park, near where a high-risk police operation is underway, to remain inside and "lock their doors and windows."
In a news release issued Friday morning, police said the emergency response is taking place in the area of the G&M Trailer Park just off Highway 5.
Cpl. Jodie Shelkie said there is a "significant police presence" on site as RCMP deal with a person suspected of having a firearm.
Trailer park residents warned to stay inside
Unless advised by police, she also said people living nearby should remain inside their residences and not go outside.
A witness in the area reported hearing gunshots.
"We saw a squad vehicle ram a vehicle. We heard at least six gunshots," said Nicole Calver, who says she witnessed the operation from the nearby First Nations Tax Commission office.
"It's kind of nerve-racking actually. We're kind of freaking out."
One worker in a warehouse on the Tk'emlups reserve said he saw a person speed away in a green truck.
"He had a longer gun sticking out the side of it," said Chris Brown.
Brown said workers later found a bullet hole in the warehouse wall.
School placed on lockdown
As a precaution, the Sk'elep School of Excellence was placed on lockdown along with the former residential school that houses the First Nations Tax Commission.
The Kamloops-Thompson School District issued a special alert saying students who bus to school may be impacted by the situation.
Police also advised parents of children at the Sk'elep School to not pick up their children. Students from that school were bused down Shuswap Road to the Lafarge Bridge.
"We are asking the public not to share any information about specific police activities or locations on social media," says Cpl. Shelkie.