A potential shooting at the Winona Peach Festival was narrowly avoided thanks to the quick action of the Hamilton police.

The department says a 23-year-old man is facing numerous charges after he was nabbed by a foot patrol on Saturday with a high-capacity firearm that had an auto-sear. This device can turn a semi-automatic weapon into one with fully automatic capabilities.

Police say it was around 9:20 p.m. when they noticed a disturbance break out between two men at the midway — a central point of the festival filled with rides, exhibitions and carnival games.

As the ground patrol neared the incident, a bystander alerted them that one of the suspects had a firearm.

“This took place at a time and location that was filled with hundreds of people, including children and their families,” the force says. “The action of these officers prevented what could have been a significant tragedy.”

The 23-year-old, who has not been named, remains in custody and is facing numerous charges, including one for possessing a loaded firearm and another for possessing a prohibited device.

A short while later, around 10:30 p.m., a second disturbance broke out in a parking lot close to the festival, where four men assaulted a 53-year-old with a baseball bat.

The man was taken to hospital with what police say were serious injuries, and the suspects remain at large.

Festival organizers released a statement on Facebook Sunday afternoon saying that the events of Saturday night was disheartening. They said the festival board will meet to discuss next year’s festival saying “our attendees and communities safety is of the utmost importance.”

At this time, no suspect descriptions have been put out by the department. Anyone with information on either incident is asked to contact Det. Amberlee Rodgers by phoning 905-546-2919.

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