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Suicidal man in Fernie safely apprehended
In the early afternoon of May 8, Elk Valley Regional RCMP received a report from Fernie Hospital that a local 48-year-old Caucasian man was driving to that location with a firearm in his possession and threatening to shoot himself.
Officers immediately attended the hospital in support and searched the area for the man, who is known to police. After developing further information, a location along 2nd Avenue in Fernie was eventually contained by Elk Valley RCMP and the Southeast District Containment Team who attended the area in support of this event.
Contact was made with the man and, within a short period of time, he surrendered himself without issue to police.
He was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to the Fernie Hospital for evaluation. A search of the residence exigent to arrest under Section 117 of the Criminal Code of Canada located no firearms.
Elk Valley RCMP and Fernie Hospital continue to work together to ensure that the hospital has a safety plan in place for these types of situations and regular discussions are held to ensure this process is upheld, reported S/Sgt. Svend Nielsen.
The City of Fernie was kept appraised of the unfolding event and updated after the apprehension was completed.
“Elk Valley Regional RCMP are thankful to the public for responding positively and quickly to directions provided by officers on scene which helped in the quick resolution of the event. Our investigation is ongoing in support of Fernie Hospital. Our file 2025-1270 refers,” S/Sgt. Nielsen said.
e-KNOW file photo
