Thebacha/Fort Smith - A police standoff in Fort Smith on March 26 lasted about seven hours before a suspect was arrested.

The standoff began after the RCMP responded to a complaint of a domestic disturbance at a residence on McDougal Road.

According to Cpl. Scott Young, police arrived at the scene at about 12:30 p.m. and were met by an adult female and her child outside the residence.

They were taken to family members at a different location.

Young said a male suspect remained in his residence, refusing to comply with the RCMP's demands for him to exit and surrender.

The police took action to end the standoff with the man after about seven hours.

"We entered the residence and he was arrested without incident," Young said.

The corporal said the police had information the suspect may have possessed a weapon.

No one was injured in the incident. During the standoff, the RCMP closed a section of McDougal Road while attempting to com-municate with the man.

"It was for the safety of everyone involved and the public," Young said of the decision to close the road.

A 31-year-old man has been charged with three counts of assault with a weapon, one count of carrying a weapon dangerous to the public and one count of mischief.

Young declined to identify the weapon allegedly involved in the incident, but did say it was not a firearm.

The accused appeared in Territorial Court on March 30 and will be back in court at a later date.