A man is in custody following a police incident at Smelter Avenue and Factory Street ( Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

man known to police

Man in custody following high-risk incident

Jan 18, 2021 | 4:26 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- A man is in custody following a high risk incident that saw Factory Street and Smelter Avenue restricted for several hours.

Police said they received a report of a man in distress that was possibly armed and a danger to himself and others.

Police eventually located the man in an isolated area, south of Smelter Avenue and Factory Street SE.

Members of the MHPS Tactical Team and Crisis Negotiators were called to the scene, after several attempts by officers to communicate with the man failed.

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Later in the afternoon at around 1:15 p.m. the male exited the structure and pointed a long-barrel weapon at officers.

An armored rescue vehicle was utilized to provide protection for the officers who were then able to deploy a single-shot projectile launcher to subdue the male and safely take him into custody.

The man is known to police.

A large replica handgun and large hunting knife were found during the arrest.

The MHPS Major Crimes Section is investigating the incident.

The man is currently held in custody awaiting criminal charges.