Police lay 76 charges after patient found with ‘replica gun’ at hospital

The gun and ammunition seized by Niagara police (NPS photo).

A 38-year-old Niagara, Ont., man is facing nearly 100 charges after police say he was found in possession of a firearm while he was a patient at a hospital, earlier this week.

In a media release issued Friday, Niagara Regional Police say they were called on April 28 to Marotta Family Hospital in St. Catharines.

When officers arrived, they say the weapon was determined to be an “imitation firearm,” adding that the man was in breach of a probation order prohibiting him to have one. He was later arrested.

In a separate investigation, police say detectives with the 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau received information that the man’s residence had more weapons. After obtaining a search warrant, officials say they later seized and recovered multiple firearms along with ammunition.

Among the seized items were two loaded .22-calibre switch guns, a loaded .22-calibre handgun, three BB guns, a shotgun barrel, a cut-off gun stock, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun magazine, various ammunition, a prohibited knuckle knife and three imitation firearms.

As a result, Jamie Khouathip was charged with 76 offences, including multiple counts of careless storage of firearms and possessing firearms without a licence.

Police say Khouathip remains in custody but are asking anyone with information to come forward.