ARWEN Less Lethal

‘Person in crisis’ taken into custody following 3-day incident in Brantford

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The SIU says at one point the man approached police holding a sword and knife

CBC News · Posted: Apr 08, 2021 9:38 AM ET | Last Updated: April 8

Brantford police say a man was taken into custody and transported to hospital following a three-day incident that ended Wednesday afternoon. (Brantford Police/Facebook)

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing a three-day incident in Brantford it says began when a man armed with a machete approached an ambulance.

Brantford police say they were called to a home on Grey Street around 1:21 p.m. Sunday following reports of a man in crisis.

The service said officers tried to speak with the man, who had confined himself to the home with weapons and refused to turn himself over to police. A media release from the SIU states a man with a machete approached an ambulance parked on the street and began making threats.

After police arrived, the 37-year-old headed back inside, later coming out toward police with a knife and sword in his hands, according to the police watchdog.

The SIU said officers fired plastic projectiles from an anti-riot weapon called an ENfield ARWEN — described on the manufacturer’s website as “less lethal weapon[s].”

The man then barricaded himself in his home and a perimeter was set up, said the SIU.

Roads in the area were blocked off for vehicles and pedestrians, with police providing updates on social media as the situation stretched on.

Brantford police said negotiators and staff with the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team, which partners uniformed police with mental health professionals, were among those at the scene.

“We know it has been a long and stressful situation for area neighbours, and we can’t thank you enough for your support and patience,” read a post shared Tuesday afternoon.

The person in crisis was taken into custody around 4 p.m. Wednesday following an “interaction” with OPP that involved multiple officers firing less lethal rounds, said the SIU.

The man was taken to hospital for assessment.

The SIU said its mandate was invoked because of “possible serious injury sustained by the man” as well as the fact that ARWENs, which are considered firearms under the SIU Act, had been used.

Brantford police thanked OPP as well as police from Halton, Waterloo, and Guelph for their support during the days-long incident.

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