Three people were taken to hospital after Kamloops RCMP responded to calls of people in mental distress on the North Shore on Wednesday afternoon. Police say weapons were were involved in two of the cases.

Around 2:15, frontline officers were called to the 900-block of Singh Street for an armed youth who had barricaded themselves in their residence. At around the same time, a second report was received. This one involving an adult with a firearm on the 2000-block of Rosewood Avenue.

Superintendent Jeff Pelley, says a crisis negotiator and the Southeast District Emergency Response Team were called to assist officers as they faced two high-risk situations simultaneously. “Fortunately, frontline officers were able to convince the man on Rosewood Avenue to safely surrender without issue, just before 5:00. Multiple firearms were seized from the residence soon after.”

The man was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to Royal Inland Hospital for assessment and care. The scene was cleared a short time later.

On Singh Street, a police presence continued until about 7:30 in the evening. That is when officers entered a residence and apprehended the youth under the Mental Health Act. The youth was transported to hospital by ambulance with minimal injuries.

“The two events quickly unfolded and involved the presence of weapons, illustrating the dynamic and complex nature of policing, and the dedication of our officers in helping to support public safety,” said Supt. Pelley. “With the assistance of our district and community partners, our officers were able to ensure that both people were taken to hospital to receive the support required to help them through their crisis.”

While a police presence was highly visible for the two reports involving weapons, Kamloops RCMP frontline officers also responded to a third occurrence around 4:00 at McDonald Park, unrelated to the first two. Another youth was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital.

Police are thanking the public for their patience and support during these high-priority events.