Stratford Police say man seen with a gun Thursday has been identified

The Stratford Police Service were searching for a man in the Devon Street area after they received reports of a male carrying a handgun. (Dave Pettitt/CTV News)

Stratford Police have identified the man who was seen with a gun in an east-end neighbourhood on Thursday.

He was spotted near 619 Devon Street around 12:31 p.m.

Officers arrived minutes later but where not able to find the man or the gun. Stratford Police, with help from Ontario Provincial Police, briefly barred traffic while officers and a drone with thermal imaging technology searched the area. They were unable to find the man.

Investigators then turned to the public for help.

“Shortly after 6 p.m. on March 26th, thanks to footage being provided to police, the subject male was identified as a 19-year-old resident of Stratford,” a media release said.

Officers then went to his home where they found the weapon, which turned out to be a pellet gun that resembled a Glock pistol.

“At this time the pellet gun has been seized, and further investigation is being conducted to determine if criminal charges will be laid,” police said.