2-year-old was in home with barricaded man in Resolute Bay on Wednesday

A two-year-old child was in the home with a gunman in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, on Wednesday, who barricaded himself inside and was firing rounds at police.

The standoff ended peacefully after several hours, but RCMP say it could have ended "much, much worse" had they not successfully negotiated with the man.

• Armed stand-off in Resolute Bay ends peacefully, 1 man in custody

An 18-year-oldhas been charged with discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life, resisting arrest and pointing a firearm at an individual.

In a news release, RCMP say it was at about 2:45 p.m. when they got a call that an armed man was holed up in a house and gunshots could be heard coming from inside.

The community's only two officers arrived and took cover after a shot was fired in their direction.

The news release said the officers negotiated with the man, while crisis negotiators in Iqaluit were brought in to help with the "extremely dangerous and volatile situation."

RCMP say additional resources were en route from Edmonton and Iqaluit, but the negotiators and officers eventually convinced the gunman to give himself up. He left the home without further incident.

The two-year-old was not harmed. RCMP say the child is now safe with relatives.

"This could have ended much differently had it not been for efforts of our members, both in Resolute and in Iqaluit who are trained to de-escalate these situations," Supt. Michael Babineau, the officer in charge of RCMPcriminal operations for Nunavut said in the news release.

The news release reminds Nunavummiut about the dangers with using firearms in a careless manner or in the presence of alcohol or drugs.