Thunder Bay, ON (July 17, 2025) — A 14-hour police standoff on Cumberland Street North has led to an additional hostage-taking charge against the lone suspect, 63-year-old Morris Hogan.
“Weapons Incident” Sparks Morning Standoff
At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4, Thunder Bay Police Service officers responded to a 9-1-1 report of a weapons incident in the 100 block of Cumberland Street North. Upon arrival, they found Hogan inside the premises, brandishing what appeared to be a firearm and ordering two of the three occupants to leave—while forcing the third person to remain as a hostage.
Crisis negotiators with the Thunder Bay Police Service established communication and secured the safe release of the hostage later that morning, without injury.
The standoff endured into the evening, ending only when Hogan surrendered to the Ontario Provincial Police’s Tactics and Rescue Unit nearly 14 hours after it began.
Hogan was taken into custody by Thunder Bay officers shortly thereafter.
Additional Hostage-Taking Charge Filed
Yesterday, Crown counsel added a count of Hostage Taking against Hogan. He had already been charged with:
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Use of a Firearm in the Commission of an Offence
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Careless Use of a Firearm
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Pointing a Firearm (three counts)
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Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
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Forcible Confinement
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Armed Robbery
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Possession of a Schedule I Substance (two counts)
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Possession of a Schedule III Substance
Hogan appeared in Thunder Bay court on Friday to face the new charge and remains remanded in custody pending a future appearance.
Criminal Code Charges & Potential Penalties
Below is a summary of Hogan’s charges under the Criminal Code and Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), together with the maximum sentences and mandatory minimums applicable on conviction:
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Hostage Taking (Criminal Code s. 279.1): Indictable offence; maximum life imprisonment.
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If a firearm is used and linked to a criminal organization: life, with a mandatory minimum of 5 years for first offence, 7 years for subsequent.
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If a firearm is used in any other context: life, with minimum 4 years.
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In other cases: life.
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Use of a Firearm in Commission of an Offence (s. 85): Indictable offence; up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Sentences must run consecutively to any related term.
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Careless Use of a Firearm (s. 86): Hybrid offence.
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Indictable: up to 2 years (first offence), up to 5 years (subsequent).
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Summary: lesser jail term or fine.
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Pointing a Firearm (s. 87): Hybrid offence.
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Indictable: up to 5 years.
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Summary: lesser jail term or fine.
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Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (s. 88): Hybrid offence.
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Indictable: up to 10 years.
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Summary: lesser jail term or fine.
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Forcible Confinement (s. 279(2)): Hybrid offence.
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Indictable: up to 10 years.
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Summary: up to 18 months’ imprisonment.
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Armed Robbery (s. 343): Indictable offence; maximum life imprisonment.
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If a firearm is used, or the offence benefits a criminal organization: mandatory minimum 5 years (first offence), 7 years (subsequent).
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Possession of a Schedule I Substance (CDSA s. 4(1)): Hybrid offence.
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Indictable: up to 7 years.
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Summary: first offence fine ≤ $1,000 and/or ≤ 6 months’ jail; subsequent offence fine ≤ $2,000 and/or ≤ 1 year’s jail.
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Possession of a Schedule III Substance (CDSA s. 4(1)): Hybrid offence.
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Indictable: up to 3 years.
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Summary: first offence fine ≤ $1,000 and/or ≤ 6 months’ jail; subsequent offence fine ≤ $2,000 and/or ≤ 1 year’s jail.
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Morris Hogan remains in custody as the court process continues. All accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.
