Gun calls lead to heavy police presence

Nanaimo

2023-07-25 15:57 PDT

File # 2023-25343

Two unrelated firearm calls within a span of two hours ,on the same street, resulted in the arrest of two adults, the seizure of two handguns and various firearm related charges. The incidents occurred within 8 AM and 10:30 AM, on Monday July 24, 2023, in the 100 block of Cavan St.

Just after 8 AM, officers responded to a report of a large fight on Cavan St and were told that one of the combatants had been seen with a suspected handgun. Officers attended and arrested two individuals who appeared to be involved in the melee. An airsoft pistol was located in a grocery bag; however, ownership of the replica firearm could not be established. Additionally, officers were unable to establish that the airsoft pistol had been pointed at anyone or used in a threatening manner. One of the individuals, a 19-year-old man of no fixed address, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Harm, then transported to cells. A second adult man who appeared to be extremely agitated was arrested and taken into police custody. He was released several hours later when he was deemed sober and capable of carrying for himself.

The second incident was reported in the same area around 10:30 AM. Officers were told that a handgun had been seen in a vehicle and that the vehicle was occupied by several people. Officers responded and after removing the occupants, one individual, 29-year old Ron Arndt, was arrested and found to be in possession of a flare gun that was modified to fire 22 calibre bullets.

Arndt was later charged with Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the Public Peace and other firearm related charges. Arndt has been remanded to appear in Nanaimo Provincial Court on Wednesday July 26, 2023. After appearing, Arndt was remanded until Monday July 31, 2023.

Both of these incidents were considered high risk as firearms were involved and required numerous officers to attend to and deal with safely. The citizens of Nanaimo should take comfort in knowing that the RCMP officers who serve this city are highly trained and are capable and ready to deal with these kinds of situations, said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

The airsoft pistol and converted flare gun will eventually be destroyed.

Flare gun converted to firing 22 calibre bullets Seized airsoft pistol