Stephanie McDonald
Northern News Services
Monday, July 16, 2007

IQALUIT - A 25-year-old Iqaluit resident has been arrested and remains in custody after an armed standoff that lasted more than 12 hours on July 8.

Kevin Joseph Tikivik has been charged with discharging a firearm, pointing a firearm, using a firearm while committing an offence, and careless use of a firearm.

The barricaded man fired 30 to 40 shots in the Green Row residential area, according to RCMP officer Rod Faith. The police were forced to close off streets in the downtown core throughout that day.

Residents of Green Row and Eight Storey, as well as anyone living in the line of fire of police and the suspect, were evacuated, according to Cpl. Jimmy Akavak of the Iqaluit RCMP.

"Just about everyone that was available" from the RCMP was involved in containing the situation, Faith said. Bylaw officers also assisted.

At 7:30 p.m., after lengthy negotiations, the male surrendered to police. No one was injured during the standoff and no one else was in the house at the time of the incident.

The Ottawa Emergency Response Team was called in and landed in Iqaluit just as the incident was resolved.

Tikivik had his first appearance in court on July 11, where his lawyer consented to have him remain in custody.

His next court appearance will be on July 20. A publication ban was issued.

Tikivik started the outfitting company Toonik Eco-Tours in 2005, offering guided sightseeing tours, hiking, camping, and mountain biking packages.

"I wanted to start a business and gear it towards tourism," Tikivik said in an interview with News/North in May 2005. "My main goal is to educate people about Inuit culture and beliefs."