One person in custody following weapons investigation in Woodstock, Ont.

One person is in custody Wednesday afternoon following an “extensive” weapons investigation involving a barricaded man that lasted almost 19 hours in Woodstock.

According to a press release from the Woodstock Police Service, at approximately 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, police received a report of a “weapons-related incident” in the area of Devonshire Avenue and Vansittart Avenue in the City of Woodstock.

Upon police arrival, a man barricaded himself inside an apartment, where police then contained the area and began negotiations.

Police say that by 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, a 40-year-old Woodstock resident was arrested following a nearly 19-hour-long standoff involving Woodstock police, the Waterloo Regional Police Service and OPP. Heavily armed officers could be seen surrounding the apartment building and on area streets.

An armored police vehicle sits in front of an apartment building in Woodstock, Ont. on Oct. 19, 2022. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

“The amount of officers here was just mind-blowing,” explains resident Linne Beckett. “At one point I thought they had called in the army because of the amount of equipment being used. I’m just happy it’s over, and hopefully with positive results.” 

The accused has been charged with weapons dangerous, assault with a weapon and mischief.

For neighbour Hannah Ross, who lives in the apartment building, she called police Tuesday night.

“We walked out and our neighbour was standing in his patio door holding a baseball bat and just staring blankly, so I called the cops. Three showed up at first, and then it kinda escalated from there,” she explains.

At the height of the investigation, Oxford Road 17 at Vansittart Avenue, Devonshire Avenue at Light Street and Vansittart Avenue at Vincent Street were closed to the public.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, the area has been cleared by police and all roads have been reopened.

Woodstock police have closed several roads as part of an investigation, Oct. 19, 2022. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)

Despite the uncertainty of the previous 19 hours, residents are now breathing easier.

“I’m still shaken. It was scary for all of us,” says Linda Taylor. “I just hope he’s getting help.” 

The investigation continues.

“The Woodstock Police Service would like to thank the public for their cooperation during this investigation,” the release says.

— With files from CTV News London's Bryan Bicknell