RCMP are assuring Behchoko residents there is no immediate threat after Mounties responded to a report of a man carrying a firearm in the community yesterday, prompting schools to be locked down.
Just before 4 p.m. on Monday, RCMP were alerted to a sighting a of man walking in the community with a firearm.
NWT RCMP's emergency response team responded to the complaint, and, as a "precaution," police "initiated a secure in place and lock down for the local schools and agencies," in the community.
Police now say they never found a man carrying a gun.
"The information provided was unable to be corroborated and at this time, RCMP do not believe the community is at risk," states spokesperson Marie York-Condon in the news release.
“A call of this nature can be very concerning for a community. Our officers responded quickly and were able to establish there was no immediate threat” she added.
Monday's unsubstantiated report of a man with a firearm does not appear to be linked to the "suspicious" death of a man in the Behchoko, found on the same day.
Around 1 p.m. on Monday, additional RCMP officers were called into the community to assist Behechoko RCMP.
A man was found unresponsive and later declared dead. The man's death is being treated as suspicious and police are continuing to investigate.
Updates to follow.