Police arrest suspect involved in eastern Ontario shooting and arson

The Frontenac Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) noted that the arrest was made in a Hartington, Ontario home at about 7:30 a.m. on Monday following a search that lasted through the night, according to CBC News.

Police previously said they were looking for 42-year-old Central Frontenac resident Brain Daniel Mosher.

The search started after officers received reports of gunshots a little after 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Police say one person received treatment after suffering non-life-threatening injuries. They also said a fire that began at a house and eventually spread to a neighbouring church, ended up destroying both buildings.

Some of the surrounding homes were evacuated and Highway 38 was temporarily closed in the area as roadblocks were set up by police. The residents have been able to return to their houses and the highway has been reopened, say police.

Frances Smith, the mayor of Central Frontenac township—where Hartington and Parham are located—noted that the person who owned the burning home shot at one of the firefighters responding to the scene. Smith said a bystander was also shot at by the person and was reportedly grazed by a bullet.

Smith also mentioned that the church involved in the incident was St. James Anglican Church which is over 100 years old.

A witness named Debra Kellar said she was watching TV with her husband on their porch when they heard two loud bangs. When they went outside to see where the noise was coming from, they saw the house engulfed in flames.

Kellar said a man then walked in her husband’s direction carrying a gun. He shouted at her husband and pointed the gun at him as he walked away.

She said the man continued shooting his gun and walking around his yard after they returned to their home and contacted police.

Kellar said she locked herself inside as police searched for the suspect throughout the night.

"It was terrifying all night," said Kellar. "A couple times I thought I heard something on my back deck and I was afraid it was the guy."