On January 2, at about 1:55 am, Portage la Prairie RCMP were informed that gunshots were fired from a residence on 2nd Street in the community. Police attended immediately and the man who answered the door tried to flee back into the house while reaching into his jacket. He continued to resist arrest despite numerous commands by police. An officer deployed a conducted energy weapon, and the man was taken into custody.

After having been arrested, police found a modified firearm on him, behind a tactical vest he was wearing beneath his jacket.

As police were arresting the man, five people emerged from other areas of the house. They were also taken into custody, and a search of the home resulted in the seizure of 3 firearms, a large quantity of ammunition, and approximately 80 grams of a substance believed to be purple down.

Tyrese Whitford, 22, from Portage, was arrested and facing multiple drug and firearm charges as well as:

  • three counts of Resist Arrest and
  • two counts of Assault Police Officer with a Weapon. He remains in custody.

A 25-year-old woman, a 26-year-old woman, a 45-year-old woman, a 30-year-old man, and a 46-year-old man were also arrested at the house. They have all been released from custody with court dates.

Nobody was injured in regards to the initial report of shots fired.