RCMP Emergency Response Team deploys to Bell Island, three people arrested

Bell Island RCMP and the RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Response Team arrested a 48-year-old Bell Island man on Tuesday morning in connection to charges including forcible confinement and aggravated assault. A 43-year-old woman and a 16-year-old are also facing charges and will appear in court at a later date.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., on Monday, September 22, 2025, Bell Island RCMP initiated a criminal investigation after a victim attended the detachment to report historical and ongoing abuse, including reports of assault, assault with the use of weapons, forcible confinement and threats.

The RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador Critical Incident Program (CIP), including its Emergency Response Team, Crisis Negotiation Team and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS - commonly referred to as drone) operators were deployed to Bell Island during the early morning hours of Tuesday September 23, 2025 to assist Bell Island RCMP in making the arrest.

At approximately 6:00 a.m., RCMP officers attended a residence, and a 48-year-old man was taken into police custody.

A 16-year-old youth was also apprehended, after he resisted arrest and assaulted a police officer. He was later released on conditions and is expected to appear in court at a later date. A 43-year-old woman was also taken into police custody and faces charges of obstruction. She was later released and is also expected to appear in court at a later date.

The 48-year-old man is being held in police custody and faces a number of criminal charges, including:

• Forcible confinement,

• Assault with a weapon,

• Aggravated assault,

• Assault,

• Uttering threats.

The investigation continues and further charges, including firearms related offences, are anticipated.

RCMP Newfoundland and Labrador thanks the province’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure for their assistance transporting critical incident resources to the island by ferry.