Man faces attempted murder charge after shots fired at RCMP in Iqaluit

IQALUIT, Nunavut – A man arrested after a standoff with Nunavut RCMP has been charged with four counts of attempted murder.

Mounties say Jerry Issuqangituq also faces charges of discharging a firearm and assault with a weapon.

Officers were dispatched Saturday to investigate a report of a man brandishing knives in a home in Iqaluit.

Police say a 25-year-old man had barricaded himself inside the house and, during a three-hour standoff, opened fire on police and passing vehicles.

No one was injured, but investigators say property was damaged.

A second man was also arrested and charged with discharging a firearm and breach of an undertaking.

In a press release, police said it’s the second critical incident in Iqaluit in a week and urged gun owners to secure their firearms and ammunition.

On Wednesday, RCMP said a 34-year-old Iqaluit man barricaded himself in a home for 12 hours while police negotiated with him. After the incident was peacefully resolved, police said three young children were placed in the custody of Child and Family Services.

That man faces charges of forcible confinement, assault, uttering threats and breach of conditions.

Police say alcohol was a contributing factor in both standoffs.