Officer shot as police respond to fence dispute in Welland, Ont.

ship's officer crack in Welland, Ont., after law respond to fence in dispute

An officer was shot in Welland, Ont., on Friday morning while Niagara police were responding to reports of gunfire.

"The officer has been transported to hospital as a precaution to assess injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening," said Niagara Regional Police Service on X.

A man continues to be "contained" in a building, Const. Richard Hingley told reporters at about noon ET on Friday.

The incident appeared to begin over a fence dispute, Hingley said.

In the morning, City of Welland bylaw officers went to the property to address "an enormous fence" that was blocking traffic sightlines, he said.

Bylaw had requested police and was accompanied by them to "keep the peace."

The fence surrounds an old church converted into a residence, Hingley said. Shortly after officers arrived, a man inside shot at them.

One officer was hit, but was protected for the most part by body armour, Hingley said.

Niagara police's emergency task unit, and Hamilton and Halton police remained on the scene at Second Street between Plymouth Road and Lincoln Street on Friday afternoon, "working to make the area safe," Hingley said.

Police continued to advise residents in the area to "shelter in place immediately."

"Lock all doors and windows, and remain inside until further notice," police said on X. "Do not leave your residence unless directed by police."

Ongoing Police Investigation - Please Avoid the Area <a href="https://t.co/6hfM3IlGbd">pic.twitter.com/6hfM3IlGbd</a>

No details about the officer who was shot have been released.

But speaking from Buffalo, N.Y., Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters he'd heard an officer was shot in Welland and said she is "a wonderful person."

Ford said his "prayers and thoughts" are with her and her family, and police on both sides of the border.

"God bless her and pray everything's going to work out. I'm very, very confident it will."

Just after 11 a.m. ET, Niagara police said officers had used their firearms "during the initial interaction" and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was notified.

The SIU confirmed it had invoked its mandate.

The police watchdog investigates incidents involving police and civilians that have resulted in serious injury, death or allegations of sexual assault.

Schools in lockdown included Plymouth Public School and St. Mary Catholic School, but police said at 2:24 p.m. Staff were evacuated from both schools.

District School Board of Niagara posted on X that no Plymouth staff could leave the school, and no students or staff were allowed in until the lockdown was lifted.

Plymouth students already on a bus in the morning were taken to Diamond Trail Public School, it said.

The Catholic school board was following the same lockdown procedures, it said on Facebook. Students already on the bus were be dropped off at St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School, where parents could pick them up.

"We recognize that this is an unfortunate and inconvenient time of the day for this to be happening," the school board said. "However, we support the police's efforts to keep our students and staff safe, as their safety and well-being is our priority at all times."

Police lifted the hold-and-secure at the Welland Hospital by 1:30 p.m.

They said access remains restricted due to road closures.

On Friday morning, Welland Hospital was accepting no new patients or allowing visitors inside, said Niagara Health on X.

People with appointments were asked to stay home and watch for updates.

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