Community Safety Alert: Imitation Handgun Seized and Charges Laid in Yellowknife

Section 1: The Alert

Yellowknife RCMP have laid charges after responding to a report of a person openly carrying what appeared to be a handgun outside an apartment building in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The incident was reported on February 12 and led to several arrests and the seizure of an imitation pistol.

Officers quickly identified and located three primary suspects at a different apartment complex, where they were arrested without incident along with two additional individuals. An imitation handgun was recovered, and two Yellowknife men are now facing multiple weapons-related charges. Police believe this incident is connected to the illicit drug trade within the city.

Section 2: Official Details

On February 12, Yellowknife RCMP received a report that three suspects were seen outside an apartment building in Yellowknife. One individual was reportedly carrying a pistol in plain view and had bear spray, raising serious public safety concerns for residents in the area.

RCMP officers launched an investigation and were able to quickly identify those believed to be involved. The three main suspects were later found at another apartment complex and were arrested without incident. Two additional people at that location were also taken into custody but were later determined not to be linked to the reported offence and were released without charges. During the arrests, police recovered an imitation pistol.

Charges Against 39-Year-Old Yellowknife Man

A 39-year-old man from Yellowknife, identified as Dean McNeely, who was already under a court-ordered prohibition from possessing firearms, is facing the following charges:

• Possession of a weapon contrary to a court order, contrary to section 117.01(1) of the Criminal Code
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
• Carrying a concealed weapon, contrary to section 90(1) of the Criminal Code

He was held for a bail hearing and has been remanded into custody.

Charges Against 40-Year-Old Yellowknife Man

A 40-year-old man from Yellowknife was also arrested and later released on conditions to appear in court on April 7. He is scheduled to face the following charges:

• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, contrary to section 88(1) of the Criminal Code
• Carrying a concealed weapon, contrary to section 90(1) of the Criminal Code
• Resisting arrest, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code

Because these charges have not yet been formally sworn before the court, the 40-year-old male has not been publicly named at this time.

Other Individuals and Investigative Context

The other people who were initially arrested during the operation were released without charges after police determined they were not directly involved in the original reported incident.

Yellowknife RCMP have indicated that this incident is believed to be connected to the broader illicit drug trade in the city, underscoring the links between drug activity and weapons-related risks in the community.

Section 3: CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, this case highlights how imitation firearms and weapons tied to suspected drug activity can create real fear and danger in communities like Yellowknife, even when the firearm is not a real gun. The presence of any weapon—whether a genuine firearm, an imitation pistol, or bear spray—can rapidly escalate situations in residential areas and put both the public and responding officers at risk.

We encourage residents in the Northwest Territories to report any sightings of weapons, suspicious gatherings around apartment complexes, or activity believed to be related to drug trafficking to police as soon as it is safe to do so. When witnessing a possible weapons offence, do not approach or confront the individuals yourself—move to a safe location, note as many details as you can (such as clothing, direction of travel, and vehicles involved), and contact law enforcement immediately. Keeping an eye out for unusual traffic to and from residential units, strong chemical or drug-related odours, or people openly displaying weapons can help disrupt dangerous activity and contribute to a safer community for everyone.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the northwest-territories community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.