'Suicidal' Lethbridge man with rifle arrested after standoff shuts Whoop-Up Drive
CBC News | Posted: August 18, 2016 1:16 PM | Last Updated: August 18, 2016
Man taken safely into custody after three hours; Whoop-Up Drive closed for 3 hours
Lethbridge police have safely taken into custody a suicidal man armed with a rifle and nearly five dozen rounds of steel core ammunition, after shutting down Whoop-Up Drive for hours.
It started with a 911 call early Thursday from a 20-year-old who told police he had a firearm and wanted to engage them.
Police arrived to the man's location, but he fled in a vehicle and drove through the city at speeds over 100 km/h.
Shortly before 4 a.m. police shut down traffic in both directions along Whoop-Up Drive and asked residents to avoid the area.
The tactical team and explosive disposal unit were called because of the risk of harm to police and the public.
Police also deployed an armoured rescue vehicle.
They were able to stop the man's vehicle in the eastbound lanes of Whoop-Up Drive, closing traffic in both directions.
Police safely apprehended the man nearly two hours later, and re-opened the area to the public.
Police didn't name the man, but said he was "suicidal."
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