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A 32 year old Thunder Bay woman is behind bars after brandishing a firearm at a business this weekend, fortunately the actions of an off duty Thunder Bay police officer prevented the situation from escalating further.

The incident occurred at a Cumberland Street South business just before 3:00 p.m. Saturday, when the woman walked into the story and entered into a conversation with Constable Sharlene Bourdeau, who was participating in a community meeting for a volunteer project unrelated to her policing duties.

During the conversation the woman drew a firearm, identified by police as a Glock 9mm handgun, from the front waistband of her pants and began showing it to those in attendance.

Bourdeau was able to calmly speak with the woman, preventing the situation from escalating further, and was able to disarm her, clearing the firearm and confirmed it was unloaded.

But the woman then retrieved loose ammunition from her pockets, with the intention to load the firearm.

She became irate and demanded the firearm back, at which point a struggle ensued.

Fortunately Bourdeau was able to prevent the woman from retrieving the firearm, while calling 911 for police assistance.

Officers then arrived, took the woman into custody and seized the firearm.

The accused has been charged with:
• Careless Use of a Firearm
• Unauthorize Possession of a Weapon
• Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon
• Careless Storage of a Firearm, Weapon, Prohibited Device of Ammunition
• Unauthorized Possession Without a Licence
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000

She appeared in court on Sunday and was remanded into custody.

The Thunder Bay Police Service would like to remind residents that ownership and use of illegal handguns is an ongoing and growing threat to the safety of the community.