Northern Ontario 12-year-old accused of break-in, pointing gun at cops

A 12-year-old from northern Ontario faces multiple charges — including assaulting a police officer with a weapon, and pointing a firearm — after an early morning break-in at a Fort Frances business.

On June 11, officers from the Rainy River District OPP detachment responded to an overnight alarm at the unnamed establishment.

“Upon arrival, police observed a youth, brandishing a weapon towards the officers before retreating further into the premises,” says a news release from the detachment. “OPP officers quickly entered the business and apprehended the individual.”

The 12-year-old, who cannot be named due to provisions in the Youth Criminal Justice Act, faces four charges: break and enter with the intent to steal a firearm, pointing a firearm, assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, and mischief under $5,000.

The young suspect was due to appear yesterday before the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances.

None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused is considered innocent unless proven guilty.