After hearing the fourth shot, Pritchard called the police. As he dialed the phone, he wasn't afraid for the safety of his wife or young son. He didn't even think about his own well-being. He says he was worried about the city he calls home.

Though he's usually bothered more by stray dogs and alcohol-related problems, Pritchard is quick to note this isn't the first time he's heard gunfire that close to his house.

"I was afraid for everyone's safety. I was concerned about which whacko was out there," said Pritchard. "It was a whacko with a gun this time."

Pritchard turned out all the lights and kept watch out the window.

He thinks he saw the man firing his rifle, but he can't be sure.

"I saw something, but I can't say 100 per cent that I saw this person," he said.

Thanks to repeated phone calls Iqalungmiut made to the RCMP claiming they saw the suspect and heard the shots, police picked up a 17-year-old male a day after the incident.

It is alleged that the youth, who cannot be named according to the Young Offenders Act, fired about 10 shots from a .223-calibre rifle around 1 a.m. Police say the man pointed the rifle at a taxi driver, but did not actually shoot the gun at anyone. The shots were allegedly fired into the air.

Bars still operating at the time of the incident were asked to keep their patrons indoors until police were satisfied the matter had ended.

No property was damaged and no one was injured.

"He was identified through our investigation and brought to the detachment and subsequently charged," said Sgt. Greg Bursey of the Iqaluit RCMP detachment.

"There is more than sufficient evidence to support and warrant the charges. We're absolutely satisfied he's responsible for the incident," said Bursey.

The young man was charged with one count of careless use of a firearm and one count of pointing a firearm. He was formally charged before a justice of the peace in Iqaluit last week. He was released from custody on an undertaking and is scheduled to enter a plea Feb. 3,.

And while the matter may have left some city residents feeling concerned for their safety, Bursey encouraged people to go carry on with their daily routines.

"We want people to continue on in their usual fashion, but to be diligent and report anything that is a concern," he said.