The Northern Rockies RCMP arrested a 40-year-old man after reports of vehicles purposefully set on fire and complaints of shots fired.
Police said that around 7:10pm yesterday (Wednesday), he was asked to leave a community meeting on the Fort Nelson First Nations (FNFN) Reserve for being disruptive and appearing to be under the influence of drugs.
Mounties said, the man purchased some fuel at a nearby gas station after leaving the meeting, and stated his intent to set vehicles on fire.
Shortly after, a vehicle owned by FNFN was found to be on fire in the community hall parking lot, spreading to a second vehicle.
Approximately half-an-hour later, police attended the man’s residence where there was a complaint of shots fired, where they found a firearm on the bed, but no evidence of shots taking place.
According to police, a woman leaving the Reserve towards her residence on 52 Avenue observed the suspect on an all-terrain vehicle following her, where she immediately ran inside her home, as the man allegedly shot a rifle in her direction.
The man will remain in custody until his court appearance in the coming days.
“We are aware that a number of unverified information is circulating over social media, which is creating fear in the communities,” said Sgt. Christian Drabosenig.
“We want to assure the public that we are actively investigating these incidents, including speaking to witnesses. I am urging the public to please contact us directly with information related to the vehicle fires and/or the shots fired, as opposed to posting on social media in order to minimize misinformation.”
Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call the Northern Rockies RCMP at 250-774-2700.
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