Citizens help Toronto police in arrest a man with loaded gun

On Saturday, May 14, 2011, members of the TAVIS Rapid Response Team were on patrol in the Jane Street/Sheppard Avenue West area.

The Team was conducting pro-active enforcement activities in the wake of several gun-related events over the previous days.

It is alleged that:

– officers attempted to investigate a vehicle with two men when they fled from the vehicle,

– an officer pursued and arrested one of the men a short distance away,

– the accused struggled with the officer causing the officer to call out for assistance,

– a member of the community heard the officer’s appeal and ran out to assist him,

– the citizen helped the officer as the officer handcuffed the accused,

– a .45 cal. loaded handgun, with 11 rounds of ammunition, was seized,

– other community members continued to assist police by directing responding officers where to locate the officer in need of assistance.

The second man remains outstanding.

Franc Gabriel Paisley, 23, of No Fixed Address is charged with:

1) Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
2) Unauthorized Presence of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
3) Careless Storage of a Firearm
4) Careless use of Ammunition
5) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition
6) Weapons Dangerous
7) Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
8) Possession of Firearm Obtained by the Commission of an Offence
9) Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
10) Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Ammunition
11) Possession of Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
12) Possession of Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order

The accused appeared in court at Old City Hall on Sunday, May 15, 2011, room 101, 10 a.m.