A safety lockdown at the Grande Prairie Museum and the Ernie Radbourne Pavilion in Grande Prairie has been lifted, and officials say there is no longer any risk to the public.
The City of Grande Prairie issued an emergency alert on March 25, 2026, at 2:12 p.m. to close the two popular community facilities located within Muskoseepi Park. This followed reports of a disturbance that began around 1 p.m. at Northwestern Polytechnic. Witnesses described a man behaving aggressively and threatening people with what appeared to be an orange-tipped toy gun.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police tracked the individual as he moved from the college campus into the park. Officers successfully located and arrested 27-year-old Hunter Philliip Joachim of Horse Lake. He faces charges of pointing a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and failing to comply with release conditions. He is scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice on March 30, 2026.
Following the arrest, the lockdown at the museum and pavilion was lifted at 3:08 p.m. the same day. This incident follows a recent public safety warning issued by the Red Deer RCMP regarding the dangers of replica firearms. Authorities noted that look-alike weapons, including toy, airsoft, and pellet guns, can easily be mistaken for real firearms from a distance, creating dangerous situations for the public and law enforcement.
