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KIMMIRUT/LAKE HARBOUR
Ten Kimmirummiut are being praised for their courage after putting their lives at risk to stop a man who was shooting at the RCMP detachment at 2 a.m. Saturday.

RCMP Supt. Hilton Smee said the the police have support from residents of Kimmirut despite an incident Saturday where someone fired on Mounties in the community. No one was hurt. - Casey Lessard/NNSL photo

The detachment building and a police truck sustained considerable damage, RCMP said, but no one was hurt.

Prior to the shooting, Const. Allan Jagoe and Cpl. Wendy Cornell were awakened by a young woman banging on the door of one of the officers' homes, which are attached and located beside the detachment, said V Division Supt. Hilton Smee at a news conference in Iqaluit Saturday.

The young woman reportedly warned the officers they were in danger. She was taken by both officers to the detachment for her safety.

Soon after the three were inside, a man, about 20 years old, started firing a rifle at the detachment, Hilton said.

The officers and the woman took shelter from the gunfire in the detachment's cell, and residents outside took action. Approximately 10 residents successfully apprehended the man, securing him and the rifle while awaiting the arrival of the emergency response team from Iqaluit, which arrived at 4 a.m.

"All of these people put their lives at risk to assist our police officers in this very and highly volatile situation. There just are not enough words to express our sincerest gratitude," Smee said. The citizens' names have not been released.

Both officers have been relieved of duty to ensure their well-being in the wake of the attack. Jagoe has 36 years experience, while Cornell has 15. Smee believes neither officer fired their weapons.

He said "alcohol was definitely a factor" in the attack.

"There has been a major (legal) shipment of alcohol that has just come in to that community this week," he said, noting the community ended its alcohol prohibition in February.

The attack follows a similar attack on the RCMP homes March 18, when four bullets entered one home and five bullets entered another while the officers and their families were sleeping. No one was hurt in that attack.

Two days later, police shot and killed a man in Iglulik after he advanced toward police with a weapon and uttered threats.

"I want to stress that the deliberate hunting of our members, shooting at their residences and at their places of work, ultimately risks the safety of its residents, and it is deeply disturbing," Smee said.

Smee said the actions of the group of citizens, and not of the shooters, represent the support of Nunavummiut for police.

"It's very clear to us that there is tremendous support within the community of Kimmirut," he said.

"There just happens to be some individuals who have decided to take this drastic action against our officers. I think the majority of people in Nunavut are very concerned about what's happening within their communities, and have no difficulty in supporting others, including police, in taking this kind of action. And we're very grateful for it."

Charges were pending as of press deadline. The man suspected of firing the shots was being held in custody in Iqaluit.

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