Big River RCMP say one of their officers was conducting a traffic stop around 9:45 p.m. Saturday on a rural road south of Debden when he heard what sounded like a gunshot coming from a nearby home.. The person of interest involved in the traffic stop took off on foot at hearing the sound. The officer drove to the home and spotted a man standing outside with a firearm.

RCMP members from Ahtahkakoop, Shellbrook, Blaine Lake and Spiritwood Detachments as well as a Conservation Officer were called in, in addition to the Saskatchewan RCMP Emergency Response Team. About three hours later, a man was safely taken into custody and a woman was removed from the home as well.

Darren Hildebrand, 40 years old from the RM of Canwood, is in court today facing numerous firearms charges. Police say they also seized four additional firearms and ammunition during the course of the investigation. As well, the subject of the traffic stop was tracked down at their home, unhurt.