‘No significant developments’ in finding pellet gun suspect

A suspect with a firearm was spotted at the intersection of Seventh Street East and Amelia Street on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2019, resulting in area schools and the hospital being placed in lockdown. People were ordered to stay indoors in the downtown core for most of the day. Police Chief Danny Aikman says there has been 'no significant developments' in finding the person responsible. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston)

CORNWALL – Seventy-two hours after much of downtown Cornwall was told to stay indoors or under lockdown, city police suggest they have made no significant headway in finding their pellet gun suspect.

Area schools and the Cornwall Community Hospital were sealed Tuesday after someone spotted a man with a rifle slung over his back, near Seventh and Amelia Streets, a few blocks north of Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (CCVS).

Later that day, police found a .177 caliber pellet near Marlborough and Fifth Streets after receiving a report of someone firing a pellet gun at a building.

In an interview with Cornwall Newswatch Thursday night, Police Chief Danny Aikman said they are still looking for the culprit.

“I was briefed this morning (Thursday) and there are no significant developments to report,” Aikman said.

But tips are still flowing into the police department.

“Yes. It wasn’t quantified but we have received phone calls and some emails in regards to identifying possible suspects,” the chief said.

There is no description of the suspect, other than he is middle-aged man, because eyewitness reports were “highly conflicting,” according to Staff Sgt. Chad Maxwell.

The police department will accept information through its anonymous tip line at 613-933-5000 extension 2404.