(MATTAWA, ON) – A response to a well-being check has led to firearms-related charges following an extensive police operation in Mattawa and surrounding areas.
On Sunday May 18, 2025, at approximately 4:00 a.m., the North Bay Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a report of a person in crisis who had entered a wooded area in Mattawa. While it was not initially confirmed whether the individual was armed, police received information indicating the person had access to a firearm.
The OPP deployed specialized resources, including the Emergency Response Team (ERT), Canine Unit, Crisis Negotiators, Aviation, and Critical Incident Command (CIC), to assist with the investigation and ensure public safety.
At approximately 8:30 p.m., the individual was located near Burritts Road in Papineau-Cameron Township by members of the ERT and Canine Unit. The person was taken into custody without incident.
As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Mattawa, where firearms were seized as a result of unauthorized possession.
As a result, James PAPP, 35 years-of-age from Mattawa, was charged with:
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Breach of firearms regulation – store firearm – two counts
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm – two counts
The accused remains in custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay on May 21, 2025.