Armed operation on Dyrøya concluded after four days – man arrested
A man on Dyrøya in Mid-Troms was barricaded in his residence for over four days after threatening and shooting at police. The operation has now been concluded and cordons lifted.
Barricaded man arrested on Dyrøya following four-day operation
A man on Dyrøya in Mid-Troms was removed from his residence on Monday after police carried out an operation against the house. According to NRK Norge, the sequence of events started on Tuesday evening at 18:00 with a welfare check and ended with the man's arrest after more than four days.
Operations manager Robin Åsheim Lindberg at Troms Police District states that police chose to act at a time when the risk was assessed as lower for all involved. The man is now being transported to Tromsø. Police do not wish to comment on his state of health.
Shots fired at police first night
Police withdrew during the initial welfare check after being threatened with what was perceived as a weapon. At around 01:00 on Wednesday night, the man fired a shot at officers from the residence.
Neighbours in the area were evacuated the same night, and county road 7842 was closed. Approximately 50 people were behind the cordons, which affected both residents and local businesses.
In the days that followed, police attempted to persuade the man to come out voluntarily. Police assessed that a direct operation would entail considerable risk for both personnel and the individual himself, and used among other things drones to keep him under observation. Troms Police District received assistance from several other police districts and national emergency resources. The Civil Defence contributed with logistics, cordons and practical support.
"Sporadic contact" with the perpetrator
On Friday morning, operations manager John-Kåre Granheim in Mid-Troms confirmed that police had dialogue with the man.
– We have sporadic contact with the perpetrator, said Granheim to NRK.
He emphasised that police had to ensure the safety of their own officers, the perpetrator and buildings and residents in the area. When asked whether police could not simply go in, he replied:
– When we know the situation is as it is now, it is not so straightforward to simply go in.
Operations commander Roy Nagel-Stangnes had explained on Thursday afternoon why the operation was prolonged:
– We can see that there are still weapons in there, and we must take precautions based on the fact that police were met with gunfire the first night, said Nagel-Stangnes.
He asked for patience and promised to lift the cordons as soon as possible.
Creative solutions in the local community
The prolonged operation had noticeable consequences for the community on Dyrøya. The road towards, among other places, Dyrøyhamn was closed for several days, and local businesses offered boat shuttles and food delivery to help those affected.
Dyrøy mayor Marit Alvig Espenes expressed understanding for the demanding situation on Thursday afternoon.
– The longer this goes on, the more issues emerge. It is challenging not to know how long this will last, said Espenes to NRK.
Police had in recent days communicated with the man via a telephone which was delivered to him inside the residence.
Cordons lifted
Police in Troms state that cordons have now been lifted and that evacuated residents can move back home. On Wednesday evening, the air ambulance was also present at the scene.
Investigation work at the scene is ongoing, police report.
Source: NRK Norge