Firearm call sparked major police response at park
After officers surrounded the scene, male subject thought to have been carrying a firearm was co-operative, was transported to hospital
A call about a “distressed male” who was potentially armed prompted a major police response at Odell Park on Fredericton’s south side Wednesday night.
Numerous Fredericton Police Force officers and vehicles descended on Odell Park around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday night, surrounding the area.
Witnesses reported the main entrance to the park was closed off and officers could be seen with firearms drawn.
Police force spokesperson Megan Barker confirmed there was a police presence at the park Thursday night.
“On the evening of June 7, police responded to Odell Park after receiving a call for service from a distressed male possibly with a firearm,” she wrote in an email to the Fredericton Independent.
“Police responded and secured the area.”
Barker said “numerous officers” who were on duty at the time responded to the scene.
“The area of concern within Odell Park was contained throughout the response, approximately 30 minutes, with the call being treated as mental health response for the person in distress,” she wrote.
Barker reported that the male subject was co-operative with officers, who transported him to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital.
“Police retrieved a BB gun from the scene,” Barker said.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.