A decorated war hero was arrested Saturday afternoon after a five-hour standoff in the small town of Iroquois, about an hour south of Ottawa, according to his mother.
Ontario Provincial Police said officers were called to the home on Caldwell Drive around 9 a.m. Saturday.
“He said he had a bomb so they cleared this whole street and I think the next street over and they had SWAT, they had half a dozen police cars they had two SWAT trucks they had ambulance, they had fire people,” said Calvin Scott who lives next door.
Arlene Fitzgerald identified the man to CTV Ottawa as her son, Master Cpl. Collin Fitzgerald. She said he did multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and was one of the first recipients of the Medal of Military Valour.
Fitzgerald said her son suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder but was seeking help.
“First he started inside then he jumped on the roof started swearing, cussing at the cops then he went back in his house, went up then he went over the porch then he jumped off and then that's when police handcuffed him,” said Scott.
Neighbours said police had been called to the home before.
“They're a nice, young family. We all have our problems in life and unfortunately they're having some issues,” said neighbour Paula Burton. “I know Collin and I think otherwise outside of today he is a very nice guy.”
Fitzgerald’s mother said he lived in the home with his wife and two daughters and that “he loves his daughters more than anything on earth…he lives for them.”
Ontario Provincial Police released few details about the incident and would not comment about whether any weapons were found inside the home. Police would not comment on any possible charges against the man. Police said there were no reported injuries.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Katie Griffin
