(Photo: Nathan Ritchie)
UPDATED 5:30 pm
A 16-year-old teenager was arrested without any further incident after a standoff on the South Thompson River with Kamloops RCMP.
In an update, police say there was a report of a disturbance in a house in the 2300-block of Valleyview Drive today at 11:46 a.m.
“The emotionally distraught young male subject involved in the altercation inside the home fled from that location as police arrived at the scene,” said Southeast District RCMP spokesperson, Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.
Both police and firefighters deployed boats on the South Thompson River after the teen reportedly took a rowboat from the dock of a house in Valleyview nearby, and headed out on the water. He was believed to be armed with an “edged weapon,” and a hammer, which was allegedly used to damage the boat.
“Our police officers positioned themselves in strategic locations along the shorelines of the river as the event unfolded, while a specially trained negotiator was called upon to assist with speaking with the young man,” O’Donaghey added, noting there was aerial support from an RCMP fixed-wing aircraft along with Canadian Pacific Police, who were also responding.
“There was a significant amount of risk involved to not only the young male, but all first responders. We are thankful that no one was injured during this incident.”
The teenager was taken to hospital for a full assessment, and police are still investigating. Anyone with any additional information is asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.
UPDATED 3:15 pm
Police and fire crews are in a standoff with a man on a stolen rowboat on the South Thompson River.
At about 1:30 p.m., police said they were trying to get a man off the river, who had ran from police before stealing a small boat that was docked at a home in Valleyview.
Multiple Kamloops Fire Rescue boats and a plane are involved in the standoff right now.
Witness photos show a young man wearing black shorts, a grey zip-up hoodie and a backwards hat standing on a white boat.
Staff Sgt. Matt van Laer says police are in contact with the man, and other officers are lined up on the shore.
Witnesses have also reported minor delays on Highway 5 just south of Shuswap Road because of RCMP on scene.
Further details on the incident are still unclear.
