Massive Overnight Manhunt Leads To Arrest In Ontario Church Burning

An overnight search for an Eastern Ontario shooter has come to an end. After warning of a "dangerous" shooter, the OPP announced it had arrested a suspect linked to a recent shooting and fire in Parham. The investigation, which began after officers responded to reports of gunfire at 8:30 p.m. resulted in a manhunt. 

According to the OPP, a man named Brian Daniel Mosher, 42, is accused of starting a fire at a residence that spread to and destroyed St. James Anglican Church on Highway 38. The place of worship was reportedly over 100 years old.

"#OPP searching for Brian Daniel Mosher after an incident in #Parham Sunday night. White, appr. 188 cms (6 feet) tall, 115 kgs (255 lbs), with grey hair. Was wearing a black shirt and beige shorts. Considered dangerous. Do not approach," read the original statement from the OPP. 

Police also believe Mosher shot at and injured a bystander as well as a firefighter who was responding to the flames. The firefighter was later treated at the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

According to CBC, two witnesses claim the alleged shooter pointed a gun at them after they stepped outside their home to investigate.

The couple also reported that Mosher was pacing around his front yard, shooting his gun into the air when they fled.

Police evacuated numerous homes in the town and closed off parts Highway 38 with roadblocks during the investigation.

The OPP reported in a release on Monday morning that Mosher had been "arrested without incident" in Hartington, south of Parham, at around 7:30 a.m.

At the moment, a motive behind the shooting remains unknown.

The ordeal comes just months after a gunman killed 22 people in Nova Scotia.

The 12-hour shooting spree, which has become Canada's deadliest mass shooting, occurred from April 18 to 19 and resulted in similar incidents of shootings and arson.