Accidental Discharge Ends With Mark GATES Arrest

(STRONG TWP, ON) – On Tuesday October 27, 2015 shortly before 3:00 p.m. the Almaguin Highlands Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call for service regarding a male who had been shot on his property by an unknown person.

Officers from the Almaguin Highlands Detachment including their Crime Unit along with members from the North Bay Crime Unit, North East Region Canine, Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Forensic Identification Services (FIS) attended the High Street property where the incident took place.

The male was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries by Parry Sound Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and was later released.

Further police investigation revealed that the facts initially reported to police did not occur and the male’s injuries were a result of an accidental discharge.

Police arrested and charged Mark GATES, 20 of Strong Township with the following:

• Public mischief, contrary to section 140(1) of the Criminal Code

• Careless use of a firearm, contrary to section 88(6) of the Criminal Code

• Unauthorized possession of a firearm, contrary to section 91(1) of the Criminal Code.

The accused was released from police custody and is to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice on Thursday, December 10, 2015 in Sundridge Ontario.

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