Man arrested after report of assault with a firearm at Nanaimo home

Nanaimo RCMP discovered multiple firearms improperly stored, military-grade mortar rounds and Kevlar body armour after receiving a report about an assault with a firearm at a residence.

It was alleged that a firearm had been brandished during an incident on Tuesday evening. Officers were able to locate the suspect’s vehicle near his home about 8 p.m. and used a loudhailer to contact him. He came out and was arrested without incident.

The 37-year-old was held in custody overnight, while police sought a search warrant for the home, which was granted Wednesday morning.

In a search of the home, officers found “upwards of eight firearms,” including many rifles, and magazines with fully loaded clips, said Const. Gary O’Brien. The weapons weren’t loaded, but they were also not locked and secured as required, and the loaded clips were also unsecured, he said.

Officers also found military-grade munitions, like mortar rounds, as well as Kevlar body armour.

The RCMP contacted the Canadian Armed Forces to deal with the military-grade items.

“They secured them and will dispose of them accordingly at a non-disclosed location,” O’Brien said.

He said it’s not known how the items were acquired.

The victim in the assault does not live at the home and is not considered a suspect in the firearms investigation.

The guns have been removed from the home, and police do not believe there’s any further risk to the public.

Police are recommending multiple charges, mostly related to firearms possession.