Four male youths are facing a total of 58 charges in connection with some of the firearms offences that have occurred in Regina in recent days. Other similar events are still under investigation.
Since June 18, 2016, police have responded to at least 17 calls for service indicating the sight of, possible sound of, and discharge of firearms, including pellet guns and BB guns:
-Male arrested while carrying a shotgun – June 21, 2016;
-Four events where windows of houses were shot out – June 18-25, 2016;
-Five events involving pellet guns/CO2 pistols/BB guns (one involving injury to a male) – June 18-26, 2016;
-Five events where reports indicated possible sound of shots or possible sight of firearm, all unsubstantiated at this time – June 20-14, 2016;
-Two events where males were shot and wounded with firearms – June 20th and June 22nd .
As the result of continued investigation into these offences, Regina Police Service members arrested four males, all young persons between the ages of 13 and 15, and through investigation, allege that their recent activities match the circumstances of a number of recent firearms calls in the city of Regina. In the course of this investigation, police seized a sawed-off .22 calibre rifle and a loaded zip-gun (improvised firearm).
The accused, two 15 year-olds and one 14 year-old from Regina, and one 13 year-old from Fort Qu’Appelle, cannot be named in accordance with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. They are in court on a total of 58 charges. All four are jointly charged with the following offences:
-Careless Storage of a Firearm (sawed off .22) [86(1) CC];
-Careless Storage of a Firearm (zip gun) [86(1) CC];
-Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition (sawed off .22) [95 CC];
-Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition (zip gun) [95 CC];
-Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Commission of an Offence (sawed off .22) [96 CC];
-Possession of a Weapon Obtained by Commission of an Offence (zip gun) [96 CC]; and
-Reckless Discharge of a Firearm [244.2 CC].
In addition, one of the 15 year-old males is charged with:
-Possession Contrary to Order (Probation order with conditions to not possess firearms and ammunition – sawed off .22) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to Order (Probation order with conditions to not possess firearms and ammunition – zip gun) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to Order (Probation order with conditions to not possess firearms and ammunition – ammunition) [117.01(1) CC];
-Two charges of Probation Breaching Condition of Keep the Peace [137 YCJA];
-Two charges of Breach of Curfew [137 YCJA CC];
-Probation Breaching Condition of no Possession of firearms/ammunition [137 YCJA];
-Probation Breaching Condition of No Contact [137 YCJA]; and
-Breach of Undertaking, Condition of Keep the Peace [145(3) CC].
The other 15 year-old also faces the additional charges of:
-Possession Contrary to an Order (Mandatory YCJA Section 51 Prohibition – sawed off .22) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to an Order (Mandatory YCJA Section 51 Prohibition – Zip gun) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to an Order (Mandatory YCJA Section 51 Prohibition – Ammunition) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to Order (Probation order with conditions to not possess firearms and ammunition – sawed off .22) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to Order (Probation order with conditions to not possess firearms and ammunition – zip gun) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to Order (Probation order with conditions to not possess firearms and ammunition – ammunition) [117.01(1) CC];
-Probation Breaching Condition of Keep the Peace [137 YCJA];
-Probation Breaching Condition of Keep the Peace [137 YCJA]; and
-Probation Breaching Condition of No Contact [137 YCJA].
The 14 year-old is also charged with:
-Possession Contrary to an Order (Mandatory YCJA Section 51 Prohibition – sawed off .22) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to an Order (Mandatory YCJA Section 51 Prohibition – Zip gun) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to an Order (Mandatory YCJA Section 51 Prohibition – Ammunition) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to Order (Probation order with conditions to not possess firearms and ammunition – sawed off .22) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to Order (Probation order with conditions to not possess firearms and ammunition – zip gun) [117.01(1) CC];
-Possession Contrary to Order (Probation order with conditions to not possess firearms and ammunition – ammunition) [117.01(1) CC];
-Probation Breaching Condition of Keep the Peace [137 YCJA];
-Probation Breaching Condition of Keep the Peace [137 YCJA]; and
-Probation Breaching Condition of Not to Possess Anything that could be intended for use as a Weapon [137 YCJA].
The 13 year-old is also additionally charged with:
-Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (sawed-off .22) [91(1) CC]; and
-Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (zip gun) [91(1) CC].
All four accused appeared in Youth Court this morning at 9:30 a.m.
Investigation into other, similar-fact occurrences is continuing. As with any other ongoing investigation, anyone with information is asked to contact the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).