Two teens charged after illegal handgun seized at Mississauga community centre

A Peel Regional Police cruiser is seen in this file photo from Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston)

Two teenage boys are facing charges after they were allegedly found to have an illegal handgun while at a community centre in Mississauga on Wednesday.

Peel Regional Police said they initially received reports about a student in possession of a firearm at a school near Erin Centre Boulevard and Glen Erin Drive at 1:40 p.m.

“Upon arrival, officers determined that the individual was inside the adjoining community centre and never in the school. As a precaution, both the school and community centre were placed into lockdown,” police said in a news release on Thursday.

Officers then entered the community centre where they arrested two people who allegedly had a loaded illegal handgun, police said.

“Further investigation determined that no threats were made and there was no indication the suspects intended to cause harm at the school or community centre,” police added, noting that the pair were not students at the school.

The male suspects, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old from Mississauga, have been charged with possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device or ammunition, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, careless storage of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.

The boys cannot be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.