Municipal enforcement officers explain a roadblock to motorists in the early hours of a standoff between an armed man and police that started April 28 in Iqaluit. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo |
Man charged in Iqaluit standoff
Jamie Mikijuk arrested after shots fired during 42-hour showdown with police
Casey Lessard
Northern News Services
Monday, May 4, 2015
IQALUIT
A man who held police at bay for 42 hours in the Happy Valley neighbourhood of Iqaluit appeared in court May 1.
Twenty-six-year-old Jamie Mikijuk of Iqaluit faces three firearm-related charges in the Nunavut Court of Justice, said RCMP Chief Supt. Mike Jeffrey at a news conference May 1.
Mikijuk, who is in police custody, was charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, careless use of a firearm, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Holed up in a house in Happy Valley, Mikijuk let off more than 10 shots from inside the house during the standoff that started at about 3:30 p.m. on April 28 and ended peacefully and without injury at 10 a.m. April 30.
Police and municipal enforcement officers blockaded the neighbourhood, and eventually grew the safety zone, including nearby Joamie School by the morning of April 29. The homes in the immediate neighbourhood remained on lockdown after the incident ended, as police needed to investigate the bullets fired and where they went.
"Everyone (in the RCMP detachment) had a role, whether it was covering for somebody on shift or going to the scene," said Const. Malcolm McNeil, noting emergency response teams and negotiators from the south came to Iqaluit to relieve local ERT officers and negotiators needing a break during the 42-hour standoff.
Officers sent in non-lethal flash-bang grenades to distract the gunman, who fired shots throughout the standoff, McNeil said.
The man was alone in the home, but the incident affected many neighbours, including several who remained in their homes.
The incident even affected those who don't live in the neighbourhood but who have their children at nearby child care facilities.
"Nothing feels better then hugging my kids after a stressful four-hour wait," resident Stephen Carter wrote on his Twitter timeline, thanking RCMP for getting them out safely.
An emergency shelter was set up at the Arctic Winter Games complex's youth centre with help from the Red Cross for those unable to access their homes near the incident.
Jeffrey encouraged the community to call for help when they become aware an individual is distraught to avoid "pricey" interventions.
- With files from Michele LeTourneau
