On Thursday, November 9th, 2023, at approximately 1:04pm, 6 District (Port Colborne/Wainfleet) uniform officers with the Niagara Regional Police Service attended Port Colborne High School located at 211 Elgin Street, in the City of Port Colborne for a weapons call for service.
Investigation revealed a youth male was observed to be in possession of a firearm. As a result, Port Colborne High School, Steele Street Public School and McKay Public School were placed on hold and secure, to ensure the safety of all students in the immediate area as police searched the area.
The K9 unit, Emergency Task Unit, detectives and uniform officers attended the area and conducted a search of the surrounding area and Port Colborne High School however had negative results in locating a firearm. After a thorough search of the Port Colborne High School, all students were sent home and the hold and secures were lifted. Police assisted and stood by while students exited the schools. There were no reported physical injuries.
As a result of the continued investigation by detectives with 3 District of the Niagara Regional Police Service, the firearm was recovered at a location outside of the school.
Two youth males have been arrested.
A 15 year old male from Port Colborne has been arrested and charged with the following offences of:
Possession of a Weapon, Section 88(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada Careless use of a Firearm, Section 86(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm without holding a licence, Section 91(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada
A 15 year old male from Port Colborne has been arrested and charged with the following offences of:
Possession of a Weapon, Section 88(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada Possess Restricted or Prohibited Firearm without holding a licence, Section 91(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada
Both males were held in custody pending a bail hearing that is expected to take place on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.
The Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibits the Niagara Region Police Service from releasing the identity of the accused.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1008980.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.