On Thursday, September 26, 2024, at approximately 10:13am, 3 District (Welland/Fonthill) uniform officers attended Niagara College located at 100 Niagara College Boulevard in the City of Welland for a weapons call.

Niagara College contacted the Niagara Regional Police Service regarding concerns of a male with a weapon.  Out of an abundance of caution, Quaker Road Public School and Alexander Kuska Catholic Elementary School were advised to hold and secure.

Officers were able to locate the male at the college and a replica firearm was located. Further information revealed the suspect had threatened on-duty security staff.

As a result, Ezenwa OBIEZE, 25 years, of Welland was arrested and charged with the following offence:

•             Uttering Threats

OBIEZE was held in custody pending a bail hearing that is expected to take place on September 27, 2024 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.

There is no ongoing threat to the public and the hold and secure was lifted.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1023300.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

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