CORNWALL, Ontario – Cornwall police have determined no one was inside a home that was surrounded by officers for much of Friday.
Const. Dan Cloutier confirmed the news in a short interview.
During their investigation information was received that Fritzner Moise, who is wanted by Montreal Police for attempt murder may be within the residence.
But upon entry no one was present.
This is the second time this year police have had a so-called standoff with a person barricaded in a dwelling, only to find the premises empty.
In August police spent hours trying to coax an individual out of a Brookdale Avenue hotel room, only to find it empty.
At one point Friday police used a distraction device known as a “flashbang” in an attempt to clear the home on Cariere Avenue.
The police emergency response team had surrounded the north end residence, east of Leger Avenue (and west of Pitt Street), and nearby Eamer’s Corners Public School was in a hold-and-secure mode.
Witnesses suggested police were urging neighbours to lock their doors and stay away from windows.
“Safety of the public is number one,” said Cloutier.
Cloutier said the incident began “in the early morning hours” but could not provide a specific time.
Uniform patrol officers were at the scene before turning things over to the tactical unit.
