On October 28th, 2023, at 5:49pm Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) offices assigned to 1 District (St. Catharines / Thorold) responded to a report of an armed person at a student residence on the campus of Brock University located at 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, in the City of St. Catharines.
Upon arrival, officers learned the suspect, who is not a student at Brock University, attended the campus to confront three known acquaintances over the circumstances of a previous dispute. When the confrontation took place, the suspect uttered death threats while displaying what was perceived to be a black handgun. The three known acquaintances ran for safety and locked themselves inside a dormitory. They did not receive any physical injuries as a result of the confrontation.
Brock University Campus Safety Services in conjunction with NRPS officers issued an emergency alert through an internal electronic notification platform advising all Brock students and staff to shelter in place. Shortly after, investigation determined the suspect left the premise in a motor vehicle and the shelter in place was lifted.
Information was received that the suspect may be inside a residence located in north St. Catharines. Members of the Emergency Task Unit (ETU) with the assistance of the Canine Unit and 1 District uniform patrol officers responded and contained the address. The suspect exited the residence and surrendered himself at 7:03pm. He was placed under arrest.
Detectives later applied for and received judicial authorization to enter the residence and search for evidence related to the offence. The involved handgun was located and determined to be replica airsoft pellet gun.
Dante PALUMBO (18 years) of St. Catharines has been arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
• Possession of a Weapon
• Criminal Harassment
• Uttering Threats
PALUMBO remains in police custody at this time. He is being held pending a bail hearing scheduled to take place later today (October 29th, 2023) via video link to the John Sopinka Courthouse, located at 45 Main Street East in the City of Hamilton.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the lead detective by dialing 905-688-4111, dial option #3, extension #1009285.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
Incident #23-121136
