NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE
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BRADFORD - Two teens are facing a number of charges after a replica handgun was pointed at two South Simcoe Police Service officers.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 around 4 p.m., two South Simcoe Police Service officers entered an abandoned building on Dissette Street in Bradford in search of a missing youth. Once inside, they heard noise coming from an office with a closed door. After announcing their presence and receiving no response, the officers opened the office door and found themselves staring down the barrel of what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun being pointed at them.
The missing youth and another teen were arrested without incident and transported to South Division. It was only after the arrest that the officers determined it was a replica handgun.
An 18-year-old Bradford male is charged with:
• Point firearm
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
• Break and enter
• Mischief
A 15-year-old Bradford male is charged with:
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
• Break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence
• Mischief
Police seized a replica handgun, a long gun pellet gun, a slingshot and a knife. Fortunately, no one was injured in this incident but the outcome could have been tragic. This is the fifth occurrence we have investigated in the past two months involving replica handguns. Replica firearms include airsoft, BB or pellet guns, paintball guns and even toy or novelty guns.
"It is only by the grace of God no one got hurt. It is very difficult, if not next to impossible, to differentiate between a replica handgun and a real one - especially when staring down the barrel of one," said Deputy Chief McELary-Downer. "We urge parents to caution your children about the dangers of showing or brandishing imitation guns in public."
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