(UPDATE: 12:25 p.m.) – Kelowna RCMP have revealed what caused the closure of Hwy 97 this morning.

At 3:43 a.m., police received report of a commercial panic alarm from a residential facility in the 2600 block of Hwy 97. 

Security and staff on site informed police that one of the residents was observed in possession of what appeared to be a firearm.

“Although the male resident was seen in possession of the firearm, no reports had been received by police that he had been using it in a threatening manner,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

"Numerous of our front line officers converged on the facility, established surveillance on the individual, controlled access to the area and strategically evacuated some of the building's residents to awaiting buses and a nearby motel lobby.”

The RCMP Southeast District Emergency Response Team, tactical ERT members, a police canine and a trained negotiator were all brought in to try and bring the situation to a peaceful conclusion.

Police also closed Hwy 97 between Hwy 33 and Leathead Road in the interest of public safety.

In the end, the 38-year-old Kelowna man was taken into police custody without any incident and was found to be in possession of a pellet gun, which was seized by police.

Hwy 97 was reopened to traffic around 6:30 a.m.

(UPDATE: 6:30 a.m.) – Hwy 97 has reopened to traffic between Hwy 33 and Leathead Road.

It was previously closed due to what DriveBC called a police incident, but there's no word on what that incident was.

NowMedia will update this story as more information becomes available.

(Original story: 6:10 a.m.) – A police incident has thrown a wrench into the Monday morning commute.

According to DriveBC, Hwy 97 is closed between Hwy 33 and Leathead Road.

There's no word of what the police incident is at this point and DriveBC hasn't provided any indication of when the road might open to traffic.

Enterprise Way or Hollywood Road are commuters' best bet for a detour.

Expect delays in the area, however.

NowMedia will update this story when more information becomes available.

Photo Credit: DriveBC