Residents of Earl Grey Street in Saanich were evacuated this morning after police were called in with reports of a man with a rifle.

A 26-year-old male is in custody after police were called to a home on Earl Grey Street around 4:30 a.m. following a domestic argument with a 25-year-old woman.

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Police saw he was asleep on a couch inside, but holding a rifle and decided to wait.

Members of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team were called in about 6:30 a.m. and negotiated for three hours with the suspect in the 3000 block of Earl Grey Street near Obed Avenue.

Sgt. Steve Eassie with Saanich police said the suspect was known to police, for previous domestic violence-related charges.

Next-door neighbours were evacuated during the police standoff, with other residents warned to stay in their homes.

Residents of the quiet residential block said they’re surprised by the event.

“The street is one of the quietest streets you’ll ever come across,” said Diana Gaiger, who lives two houses away from the suspect.

She said she heard an argument between the man and the woman around 3:30 a.m. but assumed it was just a late-night argument. It wasn’t until her daughter called at 6:30 a.m. asking why she wasn’t allowed down the street to get ready for work that she realized something was wrong.

Saanich Police are considering a variety of charges, including assault, and are waiting for an official search warrant to access the property.