Military police and RCMP swarmed CFB Shearwater just after 5 p.m. Tuesday following reports of a man with a gun spotted near the gym on base.
Police locked down the base and blocked all the entrances as they swept the area and searched for a possible suspect.
“Due to the nature of the call, we had to exercise caution,” said Cpl. Joshua John with the military police.
One by one, people were evacuated from the gym and searched on their way out.
“It was just evacuating everybody one by one, to ensure they were safe,” said John. “Nobody was armed, nobody was injured, and then we provided them with shelter.”
The gym was hosting a youth swim practice at the time. Children had to be moved to a nearby arena while parents waited for hours outside for the all-clear.
“There was a little panic at the beginning, but now that we can contact our kids, we’re not as concerned,” said parent Judy Landry.
Other parents say they too were concerned, but kept in contact with their children during the ordeal.
“Yes, like any parent would be. But I was texting back and forth with the kids and they said they were safe and police were taking care of them,” added parent Patrick Lavigne.
After two-and-a-half hours of searching, no arrests were made and the lockdown was lifted.
No one was injured in the incident.
Military police say they will increase their patrols and are asking Shearwater residents to report any suspicious activity.
