RCMP lay attempted murder charge after standoff in Kingsclear First Nation

Police say a man is facing several charges following a lengthy standoff in Kingsclear First Nation on Tuesday afternoon that ended with the suspect being taken into custody.

A release said a 34-year-old man from the community, Michael Sabattis, appeared in Fredericton court on Wednesday and is charged with attempted murder, discharge of a firearm with intent, aggravated assault, assault and uttering threats.

Kingsclear First Nation, also known as Bilijk, is a drive of about 20 kilometres west of Fredericton.

Police put out the news release at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, nearly 24 hours after the incident ended.

CBC News made requests for an interview with RCMP on Tuesday evening and throughout Wednesday, but they were declined. 

The release said no law enforcement officers were injured, but it did not mention Sabattis's condition. 

"We've never obviously experienced anything like that with the active shooter or anything," Kingsclear Chief Gabriel Atwin said in an interview.

The RCMP "did a very professional job in making sure everyone was safe and also the safety of the individual that was apprehended," Atwin said.

He described it as a "tragic event" for the tight-knit community. 

"Thankfully everyone's OK, and we'll have to get on the road to healing our community."

CBC News observed a burned-down house at the scene on Wednesday, but the release did not mention any fire. RCMP did not immediately respond to a request seeking clarification about the fire.

Police said they responded to an address on Tomahawk Avenue at 12:35 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of an assault. Upon arrival, police found a man outside.

"The man threatened police before barricading himself inside of the residence with a weapon," the release said. 

"The situation escalated a short time later when the man began firing dozens of gunshots at police through the windows of the residence."

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Thirty-four-year-old Michael Sabbatis has been charged with attempted murder after RCMP vehicles were struck and a bullet hit a helmeted officer's head in the community west of Fredericton.

The release said police never returned fire, and seven RCMP vehicles were struck and sustained damage. The release included several photos of gunshot damage to police vehicles.

"A member of the RCMP emergency response team was also struck in the head by a bullet; fortunately, the member was wearing a ballistic helmet and did not sustain any serious injuries," the release said.

Crisis negotiators attempted to negotiate with the man in the house, the release said, but he refused to surrender. Tear gas was eventually deployed. A man and woman emerged and both were arrested. The release does not say how long the standoff lasted, but RCMP put out a statement at 7:40 p.m.. on Tuesday advising the "police operation" in Kingsclear had ended.

The man remains in custody, but the woman was released. 

Police said the incident did not meet criteria for an alert ready notice but did not explain why. Nearby residences were occupied during the standoff, the release said. 

Atwin confirmed that a house belonging to two elders did burn down, and that the community will look at rebuilding for them. The First Nation's mental health crisis team is visiting homes in the community to check on people, he added.