Email icon Back to Search

On May 5, 2024, at 2:49PM 3 District (Welland / Pelham) uniform officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to a report of an armed person in Welland.  

Officers met with a female victim with minor injuries.  The initial investigation determined that the victim had been walking when struck by an unknown male driver in a parking lot.  Theincident occurred at a shopping plaza on Lincoln Street near Coventry Road.  The suspect fled the scene to a house on State Street.  A witness followed the suspect and was threatened with a knife.

When officers attended the State Street residence the suspect exited the house threatening officers with a knife and a bat.  The suspect re-entered the house and brandished a gun at officers.  Uniform officers contained the residence and requested the attendance of the Emergency Task Unit, Crisis Negotiators and the K9 Unit.  Out of a concern for public safety the nearby roads were closed.  Officers also evacuated homes in the immediate vicinity.   

After speaking with Crisis Negotiators, the suspect surrendered to officers and was arrested at 4:10PM.

3 District detectives have been assigned to the investigation.  The house is being held pending the outcome of a search warrant.

James Hellam (38 yrs.) of Welland has been arrested and initially charged with the Criminal Code offences of:

• Assault with a Weapon x3
• Utter a Death Threat x2
• Firearms offences

Hellam was held in custody for a video bail hearing to the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on May 6, 2024.

Further charges are anticipated as a result of the ongoing investigation.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1023300.

24-45974