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Man in custody after RCMP respond to 'extended standoff' in Kinngait

RCMP in Kinngait, Nunavut, say a man is in custody after an "extended standoff" on Saturday.

Police responded to reports of a possible gunshot Saturday morning, no reported injuries

A small Arctic town
RCMP in Kinngait, Nunavut, say a man is in police custody after an 'extended standoff' on Saturday. (Sara Frizzell/CBC)

RCMP in Kinngait, Nunavut, say a man is in custody after an "extended standoff" on Saturday.

In a news release issued late Saturday afternoon, the Kinngait RCMP detachment said its V division's containment team and crisis negotiators were flown into the community to assist with the incident.

A Kinngait man was taken into custody just after 4 p.m. ET following the standoff in the dump and mountain area.

There were no injuries reported in what police described as a "dynamic" incident that "quickly unfolded." 

Police said the matter is still under investigation and "criminal charges are expected."

Kinngait, formerly known as Cape Dorset, is a hamlet in Nunavut. Earlier Saturday morning, police said they were dealing with a 'possible active shooter' in the community. (CBC News)

'Possible active shooter'

Earlier Saturday morning, police said they were dealing with a "possible active shooter" in an unfolding and "dynamic" situation in the community, formerly known as Cape Dorset.

At the time, RCMP said they received reports of a possible gunshot. 

At about 1 p.m. ET, a CBC journalist in Iqaluit saw an emergency alert appear on her television screen.

"RCMP V Division advising of active shooter in Cape Dorset dump and mountain area. Advising residents to stay away from that area," the alert read.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kinngait RCMP detachment at 867-897-0123.