Niagara Regional Police say they have made an arrest following an incident on Saturday that led to a lockdown at Brock University.
Police say just before 5:50 p.m. officers responded to a report of an armed person at a Brock U student residence on the campus 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way in St. Catharines.
Upon arrival, officers learned the suspect, who is not a student at Brock, went to the campus and confronted three people over a previous dispute.
When the confrontation took place, the suspect uttered death threats while displaying what was thought to be a black handgun, police allege.
The three acquaintances ran for safety and locked themselves inside a dormitory, police said in a news release. They did not receive any physical injuries as a result of the confrontation.
Brock Campus Safety Services in conjunction with NRPS issued an emergency alert advising all students and staff to shelter in place.
Police said shortly after, investigation determined the suspect had left in a motor vehicle and the shelter in place was lifted.
Police later learned the suspect may be inside a residence in north St. Catharines. Members of the Emergency Task Unit (ETU) with the assistance of the Canine Unit and uniform patrol officers responded and contained the address.
The suspect exited the residence and surrendered himself shortly after 7 p.m. He was placed under arrest.
Detectives later received judicial authorization to enter the residence and search for evidence. The involved handgun was located and determined to be replica airsoft pellet gun, police said.
Dante Palumbo, 18, of St. Catharines was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Possession of a weapon
- Criminal harassment
- Uttering threats
Palumbo remained in police custody as of Sunday afternoon. He is being held pending a bail hearing via video link to the John Sopinka Courthouse in Hamilton.
None of the allegation have been tested in court and Palumbo is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, dial option #3, ext. 1009285.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to people who contact the program with information that leads to an arrest.
