VANDERHOOF – A shelter-in-place order issued Thursday afternoon for the District of Vanderhoof and Electoral Area F has now been lifted following a major police response in Vanderhoof.
The emergency alert was issued at approximately 2:24 p.m. at the request of Vanderhoof RCMP, instructing residents to shelter in place while officers responded to an unfolding incident.
People across the community reported seeing a large police presence and being evacuated from several locations.
Terry Keough, who was at the Vanderhoof Farmers’ Market, described the scene.
“Huge police chased everyone out of the Farmers Market & Ferland Park & told us to get blocks away. Guns drawn & assault rifles in hand. Crazy.”
Jordan Jean Sherrard said officers moved quickly through the Farmers’ Market.
“We were just at the farmers market when police came running through yelling leave the park. I didn’t ask any questions we left the park promptly.”
Jamie Davidson said people at the local landfill were also told to leave.
“We got told we had to leave the dump due to active shooter.”
The shelter-in-place order has since been lifted. As of publication, Vanderhoof RCMP had not yet released additional information regarding the incident.
The Omineca Express will update this story as more information becomes available.