14-year-old charged with 22 crimes after gun bust

A 14-year-old Hamilton teen faces 22 charges including seven gun-related charges after a drug and weapons bust this week.

Police charged three teenagers aged 14, 16 and 19 and a 34-year-old woman after executing two daytime search warrants on central Hamilton homes on Thursday.

During the search, officers seized a loaded 22 calibre semi-automatic hand gun as well as drugs, currency and other evidence.

The 14-year-old in particular faces a litany of charges, including two counts of trafficking cocaine, eight counts of violating probation and five counts of failing to comply with recognizance. Other charges include:

• Careless storage of a firearm.
• Carrying a concealed weapon.
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm.
• Possession of a firearm knowing it's unauthorized.
• Possession of a firearm with ammunition.
• Possession of a prohibited weapon.
• Possession of a prohibited device knowing it's unauthorized.

Const. Steve Welton said Friday that there's no evidence right now to suggest the cases are related to the shooting death of Shariek Douse, 18, in Hamilton's North End on Wednesday.

Here are the other suspects and their charges:

• 16-year-old from Hamilton charged with failing to comply with recognizance.
• 19-year-old male from Hamilton charged with trafficking cocaine, having the proceeds of crime under $5,000 and failing to comply with probation.
• 34-year-old Hamilton woman charged with two counts of trafficking cocaine and proceeds of crime under $5,000.

Police have opposed bail in the cases of the teens. The woman was released on a promise to appear in court later.

The searches happened at 25 Minto Ave. and 145 Birge Ave.

Officers want anyone with information to call 905-546-4925 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or visit crimestoppershamilton.com.