Coquitlam man who allegedly threatened ‘act of violence’ charged after loaded firearms seized from home

Loaded firearms were found in the home of a Coquitlam man who had allegedly claimed he planned to commit an act of violence the next day.

Port Moody Police officers arrested 57-year-old James Quirin at his home on Saturday, shortly after he allegedly made the concerning comments to a staff member at a store in Suter Brook Village earlier that day, according to a PMPD news release.

PMPD’s media officer, Const. Sam Zacharias, said investigators are trying to determine if Quirin had any premeditated intent to use the numerous weapons and ammunition seized from his home.

“The statements that were made to this staff member are really concerning. They involve violence,” Zacharias said. “We’re trying to piece this together to determine if these statements he made, whether he was going to act on it or not.”

Quirin is currently charged with careless use or storage of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence or registration, and a charge of uttering threats has been recommended to Crown Counsel.

Zacharias said investigators will likely be recommending other charges, noting that Quirin remains in custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 7.

Quirin’s alleged threat of violence did not follow any dispute or altercation, but was made “in passing” to the staff member, stipulated Zacharias.

Police will not comment on what exactly was supposedly uttered by the suspect.

Quirin had departed the Suter Brook store by the time officers arrived on scene, but police were able to quickly identify him through CTTV footage, according to Zacharias.

He added one officer had previous contact with Quirin from a prior incident, and had recognized him from the footage.

Port Moody officers obtained a warrant to search Quirin’s home shortly after the identifying him, and seized numerous weapons and ammunition, according to the news release.

The PMPD news release included a photo of a shotgun, rifle, and ammunition contained in evidence bags, including arrows.

Zacharias said the pictured weapons are just a few of what was taken, noting a “substantial amount” of ammunition was also seized. “They were just basically left laying around, loaded,” he said. 

Quirin does not have any prior criminal charges on B.C.’s court database.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Port Moody Police are continuing their investigation, and are asking anyone with relevant information to contact investigators.

Zacharias said it was fortunate that the staff member immediately reported the suspicious behavior to police, which resulted in a safe resolution.