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IQALUIT
A 23-year-old man is in custody after an armed standoff at the Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit on April 19.

An armed standoff at the Qikiqtani General Hospital ended with the arrest of 23-year-old man. The man pictured at left was led into a police vehicle shortly after this photo was taken. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo

Police were called to the scene at 12:55 p.m. after receiving a complaint of a man armed with a rifle in the lobby, RCMP said in a release.

The Emergency Response Team secured the immediate area while an RCMP negotiator ended the standoff without incident.

The City of Iqaluit's bylaw enforcement officers blocked all roads in and out of the hospital area until 2:45 p.m., when the suspect was arrested.

Police say all hospital personnel and occupants were unharmed. Staff followed the hospital's emergency plan and evacuated patients in the old section of the hospital, the Department of Health and Social Services said in a release.

"I thank staff and the RCMP for their quick action in bringing this situation to a peaceful resolution," deputy minister Peter Ma said in the release.

Hospital clinics were closed Thursday afternoon and reopened Friday morning while the emergency department reopened after the crisis.

Hospital staff will be offered counselling.

Police returned the man to hospital, where his mental health status is being assessed, and they are waiting for that assessment to determine whether he should be charged.

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