Man facing weapons charge following standoff with Niagara police

A 32-year-old man has been arrested following a standoff with Niagara police in St. Catharines.

Police responded to a call about a man with a long gun at an apartment building on Ontario St. around 11:10 a.m. Wednesday.

Officers learned a man had entered the building and threatened two people with a gun.

The man then went inside an apartment unit and members of the Emergency Task Unit and crisis negotiators were called in to assist.

Following about an hour of negotiations, the man surrendered himself to police.

The long gun was located inside the apartment unit and determined to be a replica firearm designed to look like an AK-47 rifle.

Kristopher Purdy, of St. Catharines, has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and uttering threats.

Purdy is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court via video on Thursday.