Loaded Shotgun Seized in St Catharines Firearms Investigation
In August 2026, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) 1 District (St. Catharines/Thorold) Street Crime Unit (SCU) began an investigation into the possession of illegal firearms at a residence in the City of St Catharines. Detectives applied for and were granted a judicial search warrant for a residence on Church Street.
On Monday, August 17, 2026, a suspect was arrested after exiting the residence. The search warrant was executed, and a second suspect was arrested within the residence. As a result of the search warrant the following items were seized:
- Revolution Armoury R4 Semi-Automatic Shotgun loaded with 7 rounds
- 48 rounds of various ammunition
51-year-old Jason WILLIS of St Catharines is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Possess Firearm Without Holding a Licence
- Possess Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a Licence
- Possess Firearm contrary to a Prohibition Order (2 counts)
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
- Possession of a Weapon
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order
A 17-year-old Female was arrested and cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. She is charged with the following criminal offences:
- Possess Firearm Without Holding a Licence
- Possess Firearm Knowingly Not Holding a Licence
- Possession of a Weapon
- Careless Storage of a Firearm
Both parties remain in custody and are scheduled to attend a bail hearing on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Robert S. K. Welch Courthouse, located at 59 Church Street in St Catharines.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at (905) 688-4111, option 3, extension 1009830.
Members of the community who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477(TIPS). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
NRPS Incident #26-102457
