Iqaluit standoff: Jamie Mikijuk, 26, faces firearms-related charges

Jamie Mikijuk, a 26-year-old man from Iqaluit, faces three firearm-related charges after a 42-hour standoff with RCMP led to a lockdown of the capital's Happy Valley neighbourhood.

• Related: Iqaluit Happy Valley standoff ends on day 3, no injuries

Mikijukhas been chargedwith reckless discharge of a firearm, careless use of a firearm, and possession of a weapon dangerous to public peace,RCMPchiefSupt.Mike Jeffrey announced at a newsconference Friday afternoon.

The lockdown, which began Tuesday afternoon, was resolved peacefully bypolice Thursday morning, with no injuries.

Police said there wereno other people in the residence during the incident.

Residents were not allowed in or out of the neighbourhood during the lockdown, and manyslept at friends, family orat an emergency shelter at the town's Arctic Winter Games complex youth centre Tuesday and Wednesday.

Responding to the length of the standoff, Jeffrey said that it lasted as long as it did because police didn't believeMikijukcould harm anyone, and so containment was the best course of action.

At least 10 shots were fired from inside the home, according to Jeffrey. Jeffrey saidMikijukleft the house willingly Thursday morning.

Jeffrey alsothanked Quebec, Manitoba, and Ottawa RCMP for providing relief to Iqaluit police officers during the lockdown. He said he couldn't put a number on the numberof officers from the southwhoprovided assistance,but it was "dozens."

Mikijuk is expected in court today to face the charges.