Emergency alert cancelled as search for River John man continues

RCMP in Nova Scotia cancelled a public alert Wednesday night about a man they say may be armed and could be dangerous, but said the search for the man was still underway. 

The force issued an alert in Pictou County just after 3 p.m. AT Wednesday, cautioning people to be on the lookout for David Chisholm, 35. The alert said not to approach him and not to pick up hitchhikers. Police cancelled the alert around 9 p.m.

In a series of posts to Twitter, RCMP said there's no immediate threat to public safety and residents are no longer being asked to shelter in place. Police said they would still be in the area "investigating firearms and stolen vehicle complaints that were received earlier today (the stolen car has been recovered)."

Police say Tobin-Chisholm is still a "person of interest" and that anyone with information on his whereabouts should report it.

Earlier on Wednesday, RCMP Cpl. Chris Marshall said the initial call was for a person in crisis, who was not necessarily a threat to others.

"But given the potential firearm, that's why the alert was issued," Marshall told CBC News. 

Marshall said the first report they received suggested Chisholm was in Hedgeville, N.S., but officers found him in River John.

When police attempted a traffic stop, Chisholm left his vehicle and fled into the woods on foot, Marshall said.

RCMP officers were in the area of Sergeant Lane in River John searching for Chisholm and asked residents in the immediate area to shelter in place.

As of 4:15 p.m. AT, the search in River John was continuing and included members of the Nova Scotia RCMP Emergency Response Team and RCMP Police Dog Services.  

"Investigators are following up on sightings that are being called in," the RCMP said in a tweet.