Ontario man tells police he harmed two family members, three found dead

Huntsville OPP and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are conducting a homicide investigation after three individuals were found dead in a Huntsville neighbourhood Friday evening.

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According to the SIU, a man called police at around 9 p.m. Friday evening, claiming that he had harmed two family members inside a Huntsville residence and that he was in possession of weapons.

OPP say they received a report of a shooting at a Huntsville residence on Highview Drive and responded by deploying a team of crisis negotiators and an emergency response team (ERT). Officers set up a perimeter around the home at the Fairyview Drive intersection and communicated with the man over the phone.

The SIU adds that a drone was sent into the home to search the residence shortly after the communication stopped.

"When officers gained entry into the home, three individuals were located deceased, including the armed individual," said Provincial Constable Dana Morris from Huntsville OPP. "This is a tragic incident that affects our community."

When asked about the exact relationship between the deceased individuals, police told CTV News that they are taking a victim-centred approach and are not able to confirm that information.

A stretch of Highview Drive was initially closed to traffic, and the crime scene spans over two residences at the corner of Highview Drive and Fairyview Drive. Highview Drive reopened as of late Saturday afternoon.

The SIU invoked its mandate to investigate, assigning four investigators and two forensic investigators to the case. Members of the Muskoka Crime Unit, the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit, Central Region Emergency Response Team and Canine Unit are also involved in the investigation in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

A post-mortem is scheduled for Monday, and OPP confirmed that there is no further threat to public safety.

The SIU and OPP are appealing to anyone with video, photos or other information that may assist the ongoing investigation.