A 14-year-old has been charged following an incident Sept. 9 that saw Valour School in Petawawa placed in lockdown and several nearby schools in hold and secure statuses.
In a press release Tuesday, Upper Ottawa Valley (UOV) OPP reported that they began investigating around 8:30 a.m. Monday after the school received a threatening phone message to use a firearm at the school.
UOV OPP officers, with assistance from the UOV OPP Crime Unit and school officials, worked quickly to identify the potential suspect and investigate the threat.
Police say investigation found the youth responsible for orchestrating the threat did not have access to firearms and did not initially grasp the seriousness of such comments.
“As a result of the investigation a 14-year-old from Pembroke will have threatening charges diverted and face Extra Judicial Measures (EJM) in accordance with the YCJA. The parents of the young person were notified. The name of the youth cannot be released under the provisions of the YCJA,” reads the release.
Police say they take all public safety threats seriously. Police and school officials continue to work together to support students and staff to ensure a safe learning environment.
(Sherry Haaima)