Yellowknife (Jun 07/06) - A search for a weapon in a Sunday shooting that sent a 24-year-old man to hospital in Edmonton has resulted in recovery of what police say is a "substantial" amount of drugs.

Christopher Gary Harris, 23, of Yellowknife, was charged with aggravated assault and careless use of a firearm and later released after appearing before a justice of the peace. He was ordered to return to court on June 20.

Police were alerted after a man arrived at the emergency ward of Stanton Territorial Hospital with a gunshot wound at about 2:30 p.m. June 4. He was treated, then medevaced to Edmonton. According to RCMP, he was released from hospital Monday.

A gun believed to have been used in the shooting in downtown Yellowknife was recovered by police on Monday. They aren't saying whether it is a rifle or a handgun.

Also on Monday, police used a search warrant to enter two residences, recovering "a substantial amount of cocaine and marijuana" from each residence.

Police would not release any information as to how or where the shooting occurred, or whether the men know each other, because of the ongoing investigation.

There's no word on whether any drug charges will be laid in connection with the seizure of cocaine and marijuana.

After the shooting, all entrances to Stanton hospital except the emergency ward were locked for several hours.

No visitors or guests were allowed in the building during this time. Only patients and those seeking care were permitted to enter.

"(The hospital) was locked down for most of the afternoon and early evening," said Sylvia Haener, Stanton's chief executive officer.

She said this is standard procedure if the RCMP advises the hospital that there could be a security threat.

There were no further incidents that night, said Haener.

Incidents like this one are uncommon in Yellowknife, said Const. Colleen Werrell.

"I've been here two years and this is first gun shot wound I've heard of," said Werrell.