Woman rescued after being held hostage for over 14 hours in Kanata home

Woman rescued after being held hostage for over 14 hours in Kanata home

A male suspect, age unknown, has been taken into custody, Ottawa police say

A woman has been rescued by the Ottawa police tactical unit after being held hostage in Kanata for more than 14 hours, the force announced late Thursday night.

Ottawa police were contacted Thursday morning woman about "concerns for the safety of a woman believed to be" held against her will inside a home on Finlayson Crescent, the force said in a news release.

Responding officers set up a security perimeter around the home, "negotiators worked to peacefully resolve the situation," and the tactical unit later entered the home to rescue the woman at 9 p.m.

The woman was physically unharmed and is receiving supports, the force added.

A male suspect, age unreleased, was taken into custody and then to hospital with injuries that police said are not life-threatening.

"The investigation remains ongoing and charges are pending. Additional information will be released as it becomes available," the force said.

At least one police firearm was discharged during the incident, automatically prompting an investigation by Ontario's police watchdog.

The Special Investigations Unit examines deaths, serious injuries and allegations of sexual assault involving police, as well as discharges of police firearms, and determines whether criminal charges are warranted or not.

Justin Ball is a reporter at CBC Ottawa. He has also worked at The Toronto Star and is currently completing a journalism degree at Carleton University.