CHECK WELFARE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO FIREARMS CHARGES 26-969

CHECK WELFARE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO FIREARM CHARGES 
London man in custody

LONDON, ON (January 5, 2026) – A London man has been charged after members of the London Police Service (LPS) responded to a check welfare and located ammunition and firearms at a residence in the city’s downtown core.

On Sunday, January 4, 2026, at approximately 3 p.m., police were called to a residential building in the area of Anne and Talbot streets after a resident reported locating what appeared to be blood inside of the building.

Officers responded and followed the apparent blood trail to a unit inside of the building. Police did not locate anyone inside of the unit, however, did locate additional blood.

The owner of the unit, an adult man, was located at the hospital a short time later and police learned he had been transported by paramedic services after suffering a medical issue.

While inside the unit, police observed a replica airsoft gun, a box containing 9mm ammunition, a magazine loaded with 9mm ammunition, and two additional extended magazines.

Police returned to the hospital and arrested the adult man, the owner of the unit, after locating the ammunition and magazines.

Shortly after 8:30 p.m., members of the LPS Patrol Operations Investigative Section executed a search warrant at the unit and located and seized the following items:

·       Silver handgun with a black slide;

·       Silver handgun with a black slide and scope;

·       Brown airsoft handgun;

·       Three (3) extended magazines;

·       Two (2) metal gun frames;

·       9mm ammunition; and,

·       Handgun related equipment.

As a result of the investigation, Josh Alan Gates, 38, of London has been charged with the following offences:

·       Six (6) counts of careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition;

·       Three (3) counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted weapon; and,

·       Two (2) counts of possess restricted or prohibited firearm knowingly not holding a license and registration certificate.

The accused is in police custody and is scheduled to appear in London court today in relation to the charges.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Middlesex Crime Stoppers.

For media inquiries, contact:

Media Relations Officer
T. 519-661-5410
Email. Media Officer

26-969