‘GUN SHOTS’ TURNED OUT TO BE BEAR BANGER

HUNTSVILLE — A case of mistaken identity that led to a Huntsville man being arrested ended up without gun charges following a bizarre incident Monday afternoon.

Provincial police at Huntsville say that on August 19, shortly 3 p.m, police got a 911 call about gun shots in the area of King William Street.

In the interest of public safety, the OPP said they were forced to close a number of streets and keep people away from the immediate area of the downtown report.

A Critical Incident Commander, a Crisis Negotiation Team, the Central Region Emergency Response Team (ERT) and OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU) were staging in the area when the male exited a residence. Shortly before 6:30 p.m. a 33-year-old Huntsville man was taking into police custody.

Police seized two airsoft guns and a bear banger, a device to scare bears.

The bear distraction device was determined to be the noise witnesses thought to be gunfire.

As a result, investigators will not be filing further charges in relation to this incident.

The male remained in police custody until late last night due to outstanding arrest warrants from previous offences.

The Ontario Provincial Police is committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities.