Signs threatening shootings have been found in bathrooms at four Hamilton schools over the past two days, police said, as they tried to identify the culprits of the messages.
The threats target Hillcrest Elementary School, St. Louis. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School, Westdale Secondary School and Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School.
In Westdale, there was talk of a school shooting on June 3rd […]and all four threats are identical in naturepolice officer Krista-Lee Ernst told CBC Hamilton.
Two messages were discovered recently at Bishop Tonnos School, the second of which was reported Wednesday, according to police.
Each threat is investigated separately. Police are asking students to identify the authors of these graffiti.
At the same time, an increase in police presence is expected in schools, Ms. added. Ernst, who also indicates that those responsible will be charged with misconduct with penalties of up to $ 5,000.
Messages to families
In an email sent to parents and guardians, the Saint-Jean-de-Brébeuf school director, Paul Di Ianni wanted to be reassured.
” Rest assured that the safety of our students and staff remains our priority concern and any kind of threat is taken very seriously. “
A similar message was sent by Bishop Tonnos school principal Carmelo Barone. That was also stated in his email Hamilton Police will continue to be present on the school property Thursday and Friday. Additionally, we will enforce tighter access to the building and classrooms and control movement within the building as much as possible while maintaining the instruction day.
The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board issued a statement saying police considered the threat to Hillcrest as no basis.
He also added that police are still investigating the threat made in Westdale and said officers will go to school on Friday.
We take such incidents seriously. We continue to work with our school community to ensure that students understand the impact of threats on individuals and the overall school climate.can we read in a letter addressed to families.
The rifle was confiscated at Bennetto School
A student from Bennetto Elementary School was seen Wednesday carrying an air rifle.
According to Ms. Ernst, the student went to school and in a short timea staff member allegedly removed the gun from him.
The student could not understand the seriousness of the situation, the policewoman added.
No weapons are allowed on the school grounds or in the school vehiclewe read in a message from the school board to families: The item is unused. Students are not at risk. Staff responded immediately to the situation and followed school safety protocols.
Police intervened, Ms Ernst confirmed, and no case was filed.
The situation remains particularly tense a week after the shooting at Robb Elementary School in downtown Uvalde in Texas on May 24, in which 19 fourth-grade students and two teachers were killed.
The killings have sparked discussions about school safety and gun control, both in the United States and Canada.
On May 27, Toronto police killed a suspect after imposing lockdown on four schools in the city, following reports that a man was carrying a firearm in the area.
On Tuesday, three teenagers were charged in connection with shootings at two Toronto schools.
On the same day, Halton police charged a 16-year-old with using a replica handgun. The incident led to a barricaded confinement of one school and preventive confinement of five others.
Based on information from Bobby Hristova, CBC
Source: Radio-Canada
