'Armed and dangerous' southern Ont. man wanted by Manitoulin police

Mitchell Osama Gillingham, 33, of Windsor is wanted by police on Manitoulin Island for several firearm-related offences and is considered 'armed and dangerous.' (UCCM Anishnaabe Police)

Police on Manitoulin Island are looking for an 'armed and dangerous' man following an incident involving a firearm on Friday.

An arrest warrant has been issued for 33-year-old Mitchell Osama Gillingham, of Windsor, who is wanted on four firearms-related charges, UCCM Anishnaabe Police said in a news release.

"Please do not approach the accused, Mitchell Gillingham, as he is considered armed and dangerous," police said.

Officers were called to a home in M'Chigeeng just before 10 a.m. April 19 to deal with a person who wouldn't leave.

"Further information revealed that a firearm was pointed at the victim and the accused was still believed to be in the residence," Anishnaabe Police said.

"As a result, the UCCM crime unit and the OPP criminal investigations branch were activated."

The area was contained with the help of the OPP emergency response team.

Crisis negotiators, the tactical rescue, canine and critical incident command centre units arrived later and a search of the home was conducted, but the suspect nor the gun was found.

"This is believed to be a targeted, isolated incident," police said.

"This remains an active investigation with the UCCM police and OPP."

Anyone with information about the accused or the alleged incident is asked to contact police at 705-377-7135 or submit an anonymous tip through Sudbury Rainbow Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

This comes as the United Chiefs and Council of Manitoulin (UCCM) Anishnaabe Police announced it is creating its first full-time drug enforcement unit.

The new unit will focus on combatting organized crime along with drug and human trafficking.

Out of the 85 people charged with drug trafficking on the island since 2021, 22 of them have been from the Greater Toronto Area, police said.