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An Ottawa police patrol officer was able to safely defuse a tense situation Wednesday afternoon after confronting a 14-year-old boy wielding a bow and arrow and a hatchet before his arrest near a Barrhaven elementary school.

The boy was spotted carrying a bow and arrow walking on Constable Street and Kennevale and Pickwick drives, police said.

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They got a 911 calls from a witness and a patrol officer spotted the incident unfolding.

Tactical officers were on their way but the patrol officer was able to negotiate with the suspect. The boy was ultimately arrested without incident at about 4 p.m. near Mary Honeywell Elementary School, which was briefly under lockdown with after-school activities underway.

“This could have escalated to a different level but the officer was able to keep calm and de-escalate the situation,” Const. Chuck Benoit said.

Police are now asking for help from witnesses, especially those who filmed the incident.