Businesses and residences within a two-block radius of Blood Ties Four Directions Centre were evacuated after staff reported to Whitehorse RCMP that an adult female entered the building with a gun that was pointed at people inside, and the woman stayed inside the building. On the evening of April 30, police posted a notice on social media asking the public to avoid the area around 6th Avenue and Cook Street until further notice as police responded to an “incident” there. Blood Ties Four Directions Centre posted to Facebook that evening that the centre was responding to a “serious safety incident” at the facility. “We know this is deeply upsetting and frightening for our neighbours, clients, staff and community. We want to assure you that the safety of the entire community is our top priority,” reads the post. “We are in close communication with authorities as they manage the situation and continue their response.” Whitehorse RCMP respond to what Blood Ties Four Directions Centre calls a “serious safety incident” at the centre around 6th Avenue and Cook Street in downtown Whitehorse on April 30, 2025. This photo was taken between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. David Bussieres/Submitted An update from the centre indicates all staff, clients and community members are “safe” and normal access has since returned to the area. “We hope to be able to resume providing services and supports to the community as quickly as possible,” the centre said. In the meantime, the centre is directing people to access harm reduction services through the Council of Yukon First Nations Moccasin Mobile unit, the Whitehorse Emergency Shelter and Housing First. The centre operates its office and drop-in centre, a Needle and Pipe Program, an outreach van and a supervised consumption site, according to its website. 2 women with replica firearm found inside: police Whitehorse RCMP initially released limited details about the “situation” that they resolved overnight in downtown Whitehorse. Police posted the original notice to Facebook at 7:58 p.m. on April 30, asking the public to avoid the area. An update to the News at 4:14 a.m. on May 1 by email notes the “situation” has ended. No details about the nature of what’s going on were included in the post or the email update. The News had sought more information from police, who issued an update via a news release at around 4:30 p.m. on May 1. Whitehorse RCMP responded to a report of someone with a gun inside the 6th Avenue facility shortly after 7 p.m. on April 30, per police. “Initial reports stated that an adult female entered the facility with a gun, which she pointed at people inside, and remained inside the building,” RCMP said. Staff decided to evacuate the building and officers who attended the scene worked to contain and secure the building and surrounding area, according to police. The M Division RCMP Critical Incident Program was deployed and began trying to talk to the woman inside the building. While officers didn’t get a response, they eventually figured out that two people were inside the building with a gun, as noted in the release. The release states police got inside the centre and found two women who weren’t cooperating and were arrested with the help of the police dog services at around 11 p.m. Police located a replica firearm there. Lisa Bunbury, 53, and Safyre Roberts, 23, are facing charges including pointing a firearm, carrying an imitation firearm for the purposes of committing an offence and uttering threats. Both were set to appear in court on May 1. “The RCMP can confirm that no shots were fired during the event and both females were medically assessed for minor injuries prior to being held at the Arrest Processing Unit at the Whitehorse Correctional Center.” The RCMP investigation is continuing. Rumours circulating A statement to the media from Blood Ties Four Directions Centre on the afternoon of May 1 indicates unsubstantiated rumours are circulating around what happened, which they said can lead to confusion and fear. “We can share that the incident, involving two people, was resolved without injuries. We understand there is confusion around loud noises heard — these were part of the safety response during the incident,” reads the statement. “We are now focused on supporting the investigation and next steps, and getting services back up and running to make sure those who need them are cared for.” Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
Women pointing replica firearm prompted stand-off at Blood Ties, two-block evacuations
