Police in a northwestern Alberta city are investigating after a youngster introduced a gun to a center college Tuesday, and the varsity division can also be launching its personal investigation into what occurred.
Whitecourt RCMP have been known as to Percy Baxter Faculty round 12:30 p.m., the place a scholar was reportedly seen with a loaded journal.
Police mentioned college employees searched the boy’s backpack and located a handgun. RCMP mentioned it was not loaded and the journal was not on the boy on the time.
Nobody was injured and RCMP mentioned no threats have been made to the varsity or any college students. The college board notified dad and mom of the incident, police mentioned.
Northern Gateway Public Colleges mentioned a shelter in place order was in impact at Percy Baxter. A discover posted on the varsity division’s web site mentioned all college students are secure and communications will probably be shared with dad and mom.
Superintendent Kevin Chicken informed World Information the gun was confiscated and employees rapidly decided there was no threat to college students or employees.
He mentioned he felt fortunate that there was no tragedy.
“In our world, that is about as large because it will get,” Chicken mentioned, including a gun being introduced to high school is severe it doesn’t matter what.
He mentioned a shelter in place was lively from the time the gun was found till the top of the varsity day, when class was dismissed and college students have been allowed to go house as they usually would with none additional precautions.
Chicken mentioned there isn’t any want for a extra severe maintain and safe or lockdown response. Why the coed introduced a gun to high school continues to be beneath investigation, Chicken mentioned.
Some dad and mom got here to choose up their youngsters as quickly as a discover was despatched out, however he mentioned lessons continued as regular for probably the most half.
Chicken mentioned there are a number of classes to be realized from the scenario: dad and mom ought to be sure their kid’s college has their latest contact info to allow them to be simply reached.
Chicken, who mentioned he’s additionally a gun proprietor, mentioned Tuesday’s incident is an efficient reminder for folks to ensure their firearms are correctly saved and their youngsters do not know the code to the secure or the place the secret is. He would additionally advise dad and mom to go a step additional and ensure their weapons have set off locks.
The juvenile was arrested and the investigation is ongoing, RCMP mentioned. As of Tuesday afternoon, no expenses had been laid.
Chicken mentioned the coed won’t return to high school Wednesday or quickly, however it’s too early to say if they are going to be suspended.
A threat evaluation of the specter of violence will now be carried out, he mentioned, including it was the most effective programs on the planet to take care of these conditions.
“The aim of the Violence/Menace Threat Evaluation (VTRA) course of is to make sure that each incident of youth violence in our communities is addressed. VTRA is early intervention, which can very nicely be prevention,” says the Northern Gateway Public Colleges web site.
“As a division, and in collaboration with different native college divisions, authorities, RCMP and group companions, NGPS directors and management employees have accomplished intensive security coaching by the North American Middle for Menace Evaluation and Trauma Response.”
The division mentioned it has developed a prevention and intervention protocol to answer conditions through which college students could pose a risk to themselves or others.
“As at all times, our purpose is to maintain our college students and faculties secure and reply to threats in a proactive and coordinated method that permits for a wholesome and caring studying atmosphere.”
Chicken mentioned they’re gathering info and it’ll take about two weeks earlier than a call is made on any long-term disciplinary motion, including that they at all times attempt to make choices which are in the most effective curiosity of the coed’s success. is.
As a result of the suspect is a minor and guarded by the Youth Felony Justice Act, no different particulars are being launched by RCMP.
Whitecourt is about 160 kilometers northwest of Edmonton.
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