Man described as drunk, armed and distraught taken into custody in Salmon Arm

SALMON ARM – An apparently distraught, intoxicated man who was carrying a firearm was eventually taken into custody near Salmon Arm Wednesday evening.

RCMP received a report about the man March 4 at 5:11 p.m. They were told he was drunk in a vehicle on a rural property of Black Road and that he had a firearm, according to a media release. Responding Salmon Arm officers arrived with Police Dog Services and North Okanagan RCMP and quickly contained the property. Because of the risk the situation potentially posed to public safety the Southeast District Emergency Response Team was also brought in to help.

"Communication was eventually established with the man and officers were able to successfully de-escalate the situation; safely taking the man into custody," Const. Kris Clark says in the release.

Police say the man was not injured, however he was taken to hospital for any treatment he might require.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.