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
Canada Day: Musicians Reflect On National Pride, Politics And Partying
TORONTO — As the country celebrates its 149th birthday on Friday, there are many different ways Canadians will mark the occasion.
Canada Day: Musicians Reflect On National Pride, Politics And Partying
Olympians, Jurists, Researchers Among 113 New Members Of Order Of Canada
OTTAWA — Nathalie Lambert was just a child in a poor neighbourhood in Montreal when she walked through the doors of the skating rink across the street.
Olympians, Jurists, Researchers Among 113 New Members Of Order Of Canada
Charges Pending Against Winnipeg Man, Woman After Hotel Worker's Ears Bitten Off
Police say a 40-year-old woman was working early on June 19 when she was confronted by two people after refusing them service.
Charges Pending Against Winnipeg Man, Woman After Hotel Worker's Ears Bitten Off
Scrimpy Summer? Canadians Plan To Spend 25% Less On Travel, Recreation: Cibc Poll
A new survey says Canadians plan to keep a close watch on their wallets when it comes to discretionary spending this summer.
Scrimpy Summer? Canadians Plan To Spend 25% Less On Travel, Recreation: Cibc Poll
Canada Will Lead New Nato Battle Group In Eastern Europe, Says Harjit Sajjan
Sajjan tells that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will announce the exact size of that contribution at next week's NATO leaders' summit in Warsaw, Poland.
Canada Will Lead New Nato Battle Group In Eastern Europe, Says Harjit Sajjan
More Brits Looking For Jobs In Canada After Brexit Vote: Job Search Site
Number of U.K. queries for jobs in Canada was over four times the average in the 48 hours following the vote to withdraw from the European Union.