GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. — RCMP in northwestern Alberta are praising two young kids for doing the right thing when they found a loaded handgun ditched by a shooting suspect.
"The children were astute enough to not touch the weapon and immediately notified a parent," Grande Prairie RCMP said in a release.
Officers were called to the city's west side on Wednesday to investigate reports of shots being fired at a business.
A male suspect fired at some people before taking off in a vehicle with police in pursuit.
Somewhere along the way he tossed the weapon.
Ayrabella Metselaar, who is six, and her five-year-old brother, Junah, found the gun in their backyard.
"At the time you dismiss it, right, because you've got a five year old and a six year old and their imaginations go wild," said the kids' dad, Darren Metselaar.
![](https://media.darpanmagazine.com/library/uploads/news/content/gun5#@</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
"what could be a gun to them could be a garden scoop or any other inanimate object. as a parent i feel proud, but at the same time very, very blessed and lucky and just so happy nothing bad happened."</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
ayrabella and junah were given a tour of the rcmp detachment thursday, as well as awards, for doing the right thing.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
matthew james bergeson, 32, of grande prairie is to appear in court monday on 15 charges, including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and various weapon counts.</div>.jpg)
MORE National ARTICLES
Jail Assault Part Of 'Epidemic Of Violence' At Kamloops Jail: Lawyer
KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A two-on-one fight at a jail in Kamloops, B.C., has earned an Okanagan man nine more months behind bars.
Jail Assault Part Of 'Epidemic Of Violence' At Kamloops Jail: Lawyer
Hand-Held Cellphone Driving Convictions Over 4,300, Six Years After Law Change
The minister responsible for Saskatchewan Government Insurance says convictions for hand-held cellphone use while driving are high in part because of better enforcement.
Hand-Held Cellphone Driving Convictions Over 4,300, Six Years After Law Change
Jurors At PQ Shooting Trial Hear Of Accused's Political 'Vision' For Montreal
Montreal must break away from the "separatists" in the rest of Quebec and become the newest province of Canada, Bain says in a 2012 audio recording that was played for the court.
Jurors At PQ Shooting Trial Hear Of Accused's Political 'Vision' For Montreal
Newfoundland Marks 100 Years Since First World War Carnage At Beaumont-Hamel
Under blue skies as the St. John's harbour sparkled behind them, people came together at the National War Memorial more than an hour before a ceremony marking the battle of Beaumont-Hamel was set to begin.
Newfoundland Marks 100 Years Since First World War Carnage At Beaumont-Hamel
Canadians Are United: Justin Trudeau Leads Canada Day Celebrations In Ottawa
Canadian flags are on prominent display as people celebrate Canada Day from coast to coast.
Canadians Are United: Justin Trudeau Leads Canada Day Celebrations In Ottawa
City of Surrey and SFU to Create Innovation Boulevard Corporation
The partners have also committed to invest close to $1 million over the next three years to fortify the structure and operations of Innovation Boulevard.