Hamilton teen charged after police find ‘loaded replica handgun’

(Image shows a generic C11 BB gun similar to the item seized by police)

A 19-year-old man is facing charges after police found a replica handgun while investigating a group of trespassers.

Officers spotted the group in the parking lot of Streetlight Christian Centre around 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Police say they saw a small open bottle of rum on the ground and heard the “sound of glass clanging together.”

“Police approached the group and through investigation determined the presence of additional alcohol and BB gun pellets,” said Hamilton police in a news release. “One male appeared to be very uneasy and acting suspiciously. As police continued the line of questioning, they learned the same male was in possession of a black handgun.”

It was determined the gun was a loaded replica handgun. Officers discovered the man was also bound by two probation orders.

James Wilson, of Hamilton, has been charged with carry concealed weapon, possession contrary to order and two counts each of fail to comply probation and breach of probation.