Police in Welland, Ontario, are in a daylong standoff with a male suspect after a shooting incident around 8 a.m. Friday that involved an officer getting shot.
The female officer was responding to a fencing issue at a residence, when she received a minor gunshot wound that came from inside the building, said Niagara Regional Police Media Relations Officer Rich Hingley, in audio from Hamilton TV station CHCH News.
“That officer has been transported to a local hospital for minor life, non-life-threatening injuries. We believe that the body armor did its job in this case," Hingley said "What we ask for in those situations from our residents is to keep your windows and doors locked. Don't come outside. That's for your safety, but it also allows our officers to conduct their operations safely, as well.”
During an unrelated event in Buffalo, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the officer was "shot in the chest" but "she's going to survive."
Niagara Regional Police reported late Friday afternoon that the officer had been treated and released by doctors.
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit was on the scene, since police discharged their weapons during the original interaction. SIU are a provincial unit that take lead on any "critical incident" where a civilian is killed, seriously injured or shot at by police.
According to Niagara Regional Police, officers were continuing to negotiate with the suspect, who remained contained within a building, hoping to bring the standoff to a peaceful end.
Welland Hospital is again operational and receiving new patients, but there still is restricted access because of road closures, according to NRPS. Plymouth Public School and St. Mary Catholic Elementary School have both been evacuated after several hours of lockdown. Residents in the area of Second Street and Plymouth Road are advised to still shelter in place.
BTPM NPR's Michael Mroziak contributed to the story.
