On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Regina Police Service responded to three separate calls for service involving a report of a firearm. In two of the cases the firearm turned out to be a lighter designed to look like a gun.
The first call came in at approximately 10:00 a.m. multiple callers reported an adult male walking near Arcola Avenue and Winnipeg Street carrying what appeared to be long gun. Officers located the male in a park in the 1700 block of 11th Avenue. Police seized a rifle-style pellet gun from the male.
As result, 23 year-old Ocean GORDON-DESNOMIE is charged with:
- Possession of a Weapon [CC 88].
GORDON-DESNOMIE will make his first appearance on these charges in Regina Provincial Court on June 24, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
At approximately 12:00 p.m., police responded to a report of a weapons offence at a business in the 4200 block of East Buckingham Drive. Information received indicated an adult male was observed with a firearm.
Officers, including members of the Tactical Response Team, responded and quickly located the suspect. He was taken into custody without incident. During a search following the arrest, officers located three knives and a lighter which was designed to appear like a firearm. As a precaution, a nearby school was briefly placed into secure the building while officers responded. The secure the building was lifted shortly thereafter.
As a result of this investigation, 33 year-old Christopher SANGWAIS is charged with:
- Possession of a Weapon [CC 88]; and
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order [CC 733.1(1)].
SANGWAIS will make his first appearance on this charge in Regina Provincial Court on June 24, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
At approximately the same time (12:00 p.m.), police received a report of a male and female sitting outside in the 3500 block of Dewdney Avenue. The male was reported to be holding a firearm. Police arrived and took the two suspects into custody without incident. Police located a lighter which was designed to appear like handgun along with a bag containing ammunition for a shotgun. The female was released without charges. The 19 year-old male was arrested. He cannot be named in keeping with the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He is charged with:
- Fail to Comply With Disposition [YCJA 137]
The male will make his first appearance on these charges in Regina Provincial Court on June 26, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
Deputy Chief of Police Laurel Marshall notes that significant resources are required to deal with firearms calls.
“Any time officers are dispatched to a report of a firearm, additional safety measures and responses must be considered,” explains Deputy Marshall. “All calls must be treated as though the firearms are real, even if they turn out to be imitation.”
When required, that extra level of support can be provided by the Tactical Support team officers assigned to each shift. The Regina Police Service created the Tactical Support teams in 2024, assigning two full-time SWAT team members to each shift, rather than having to be called out when incidents occur.
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