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ARVIAT
An Arviat man is recovering from non-lifethreatening wounds after being shot by police who were in the process of trying to arrest him on Friday, April 27.

The Arviat RCMP detachment responded to calls of a man armed with a pistol, who was walking around the community firing shots at dogs at about 5:30 p.m. Friday, according to an RCMP press release.

After issuing a warning on local radio to community residents, police located the 26-year-old man outdoors and began their arrest procedure. The suspect was then shot by police during the arrest.

Emergency first aid was administered on the scene by the attending RCMP officers, and the suspect was quickly transported to a Winnipeg hospital where he was being treated for his injuries as of Saturday.

The pistol the man was using is confirmed to have been stolen from the Arviat RCMP detachment during an overnight break and enter on April 10.

Chief Supt. Steve McVarnock said he's not aware, in his 31-years with the RCMP, of any other incident where a detachment was broken into and a service pistol was stolen.

"We're very concerned about the latest incident that happened (Friday) night," said McVarnock. "We are very pleased the injuries to the suspect are not considered life-threatening and medically, we have been advised he will make a full recovery."

Major crime investigators have been sent to Arviat to secure the scene, protect the evidence and identify witnesses, he added. McVarnock said the Ottawa Police Service will oversee the investigation surrounding the arrest while the RCMP will investigate the acts of the suspect before his arrest.

Three RCMP officers are posted in Arviat.

The Commission for Public Complaints, the independent oversight wing that monitors and reviews complaints against the RCMP nationally, is aware of the incident, said McVarnock.

-with files from Jeanne Gagnon

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