Police arrest intoxicated youth who had a replica firearm

A 17-year-old male was arrested Wednesday after walking in the James Street area with what appeared to be a handgun.

Police received an anonymous call about a young male staggering down the street with a handgun in the James Street and Redwood Avenue area Wednesday just before 9 p.m. Officers were unable to locate the male.

Police then received another call about a male with the same description carrying a gun near a Limbrick townhouse.

Officers found the male and saw the gun in his hand. They drew their firearms and ordered the male to the ground.

The youth complied and was arrested without incident; he was visibly intoxicated at the time of arrest.

It was discovered the gun was an unloaded BB gun that police describe as a black replica handgun.

The youth was charged with possession of weapons dangerous to the public, breach of probation and breach of undertaking.
He has been remanded to Sept. 27.

Thunder Bay Police Service wants to remind people the risk of possessing or using replica guns in public. It can be difficult to determine whether a gun is real or a replica.