Man charged following armed incident with Sanikiluaq RCMP

A man has been arrested following a confrontation with RCMP and a firearm being discharged in Sanikiluaq.

The RCMP have charged Sam Ekidlak, 37, with five separate counts under the Criminal Code: careless use of a firearm, carrying a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, resisting arrest, discharge of a firearm at the public and assault of a police officer.

At approximately 11:10 p.m. on the evening of Sept. 28, Sanikiluaq RCMP responded to a complaint at a townhouse in Sanikiluaq.

The police had previously been notified that a man had discharged a firearm and was threatening others in the residence. Those individuals were unharmed and able to escape.

RCMP then set up a secure zone and safely evacuated neighbouring homes. Attempts were made to communicate with the man in order to de-escalate the situation, but those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. Police were then able to enter the residence, and, in an attempt to arrest the suspect, both the suspect and an arresting officer sustained minor injuries, according to the RCMP.

The injured parties were subsequently treated at the local health centre. Ekidlak was medically cleared before being taken into custody, the Mounties noted.

The accused was held for a bail hearing and was remanded into custody before being transported to Iqaluit on Sept. 30.

Ekidlak's next scheduled court appearance is slated for Oct. 2.