RCMP in Iqaluit say public no longer in danger after armed standoff ends peacefully

RCMP say there is no longer any danger to the public following a Monday morning standoff that ended peacefully in Iqaluit.

In a briefearly morning release, RCMP called it a "dynamic situation." They asked residents to avoid the 200-block area, and for people in the area to stay in their homes.

An officer on scene directed a CBC News reporter to the RCMP's media relations division for more information, but said "the public is no longer in danger."

In an updated news release later Monday morning, the RCMPsaid it received a report "of a developing situation at a residence with a possible armed suspect."

"The V Division Crisis Negotiators worked swiftly and quickly in de-escalating the situation and successfully resolved the situation, resulting in the suspect surrendering to police without incident," the release said.

The RCMP says criminal charges are expected, along with another update later in the day.

Officers had guns drawn

Earlier in the standoff, officers were visible in the area with their firearms drawn.

In the initial news release, the RCMP saidthe detachment's "containment team" was on scene and had the house surrounded.

In a Facebook post, Jason Rochon, one of the organizers of the Iqaluit breakfast program, said Monday's distribution of food had been cancelled due to the RCMP advisory.