NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On July 30, 2020 at approximately 12:52 p.m., 1 District St. Catharines uniform officers responded to a multi-unit residential apartment building in the area of Smythe Street and Oakdale Avenue in St. Catharines. Officers responded there after multiple 911 callers reported hearing gunshots.
As officers were arriving, residents were fleeing the building reporting they heard gunshots from one of the apartment units. Officers contained the building and individual unit. Officers determined that a man in the unit was believed to be in crisis. Members of the Emergency Task Unit, Crisis Negotiators, the K9 Unit and members of the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team attended the scene.
At approximately 5 p.m., officers concerned for the safety and welfare of the man, entered the apartment and arrested him without incident.
The man was not injured.
The matter was investigated further by detectives from the 1 District detective office. It was determined that no firearm was discharged by the man. The loud noise initially believed to be gunshots was a stick/club striking objects within the apartment.
The man was taken to a local hospital to be assessed and receive medical care under the provisions of the Mental Health Act of Ontario.
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