Whitehorse RCMP arrested six people after an assault overnight Thursday into Friday in the city.

Police were initially called to an address in Crestview at approximately 1:40 a.m. Friday.

While en route to the area, they received further information that a man had been assaulted and the suspects had fled in two vehicles before police arrived on the scene.

“Information was received from the victim that a firearm was present in this assault, although it was not fired,” police said.

“One suspect vehicle was located and a traffic stop was initiated. One person was safely arrested; however, others in the vehicle fled before they could be taken into custody.”

Thanks to information provided from the public, police located both suspect vehicles shortly after at a downtown apartment building.

General duty officers and officers from the emergency response team attended and located the other suspects.

Five further people were arrested at this location in addition to the one person arrested at the earlier traffic stop.

Rodney Bailey, 48, of Whitehorse, Patrick Blais, 42, of Edmonton, and Dominic Cormier, 24, of Whitehorse, each face multiple charges after a first court appearance on Friday. Charges include the following:

• assault with a weapon;

• possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose;

• possession of a firearm without a licence;

• possession of a restricted weapon with readily accessible ammunition without a licence.

In addition to these charges, Bailey and Blais face additional charges related to being in breach of court conditions.

Others who were arrested and released cannot be identified at this time, police said. They are continuing the investigation.

“No further information will be provided about the victim in order to protect their privacy,” police said.

“Police believe the assault was targeted and that all people involved knew each other.”