Police search for a potentially armed suspect in Sept-Îles, Que.
CBC
A police operation in underway in Sept-Îles. Que., to find a suspect who is possibly armed.
The Sûreté du Québec says it received a photo of a person carrying what appears to be a firearm at around 8 a.m.
SQ spokesperson Sgt. Hugues Beaulieu said it was impossible to confirm whether it was a real gun or not, but said the police are taking the photo seriously because multiple residents reported seeing the suspect.
Provincial police are warning residents in the area around Perreault, Noël and Radisson avenues to stay home, lock their doors and get away from the windows.
Residents should leave the sector if they are able to do it safely, police said in a statement.
The SQ says the suspect was last seen dressed entirely in black, wearing a mask and gloves, and carrying a backpack.
Some schools in the area have been shut down and some students have been placed in lockdown.
School administrators say the children are being kept safe and parents should not come to the schools to pick up their kids.
"What we know right now is that everything is in place to ensure the safety of our students and we are asking people not to come and get their kids or try to pick up things in our establishments until the Sûreté du Québec changes their directives," said Richard Poirier, the director of the local school board.
Poirier said the school board is collaborating closely with police and following their directives.
Police are asking anyone who has seen the suspect to call 911 and not approach him.
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dubé was supposed to make an announcement in Sept-Îles at 11 a.m., but the event was cancelled due to this ongoing incident.
Sept-Îles is located about 640 kilometres northeast of Quebec City, on the St. Lawrence.
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