Huntsville OPP is conducting a homicide investigation following a barricaded person incident in that town.
On October 25 shortly before 9 p.m., officers responded to a "barricaded person incident" after receiving a report of a shooting at a residence on Highview Drive. A 52-year-old man contacted police and said he had “harmed” two family members inside a Huntsville home, and that he had weapons.
Officers set up a perimeter around the residence and were able to communicate with the man over the phone.
When that communication stopped, police sent a drone into the home to search the residence, and the bodies of two women and a man were located.
Police are investigating the incident as a homicide.
Roads in the surrounding area were closed to ensure public safety.
"There is no threat to public safety. However, residents in the area of Highview Drive should expect to see a large police presence throughout the weekend," says a police news release.
As a result of the officers' interaction with the barricaded person, the OPP has notified the province's Special Investigations Unit which has invoked its mandate. As a result, the OPP will not be able to provide any further information. Any other inquiries should be directed to SIU Communications at (416) 622-2342.
The investigation is ongoing by the Muskoka Crime Unit under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Branch, with assistance from the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit, Central Region Emergency Response Team and Canine Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call Huntsville OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
