A firearm threat put a Maple Ridge secondary school into a ‘hold and secure’ status on Thursday, July 9.
Maple Ridge RCMP responded to a report of an individual with a weapon at around 11:15 a.m. at Thomas Haney Secondary School, where children are attending summer learning programs.
When officers arrived on scene, they located a teen in possession of an imitation firearm. The 16-year-old youth suspect was apprehended and taken into custody by police.
No injuries were reported, said police, and there is no ongoing risk to the public at this time.
In a message to families, the school district said there was a report at the school that a student may have been in possession of a weapon.
“Staff acted on the report immediately, placing the school in a hold and secure, as the student in question was no longer in the building,” said SD42 in the letter.
The exterior doors are locked, activity in the hallway is minimized, and normal duties continue inside the school.
“The hold and secure lasted for approximately 30 minutes and was lifted by the RCMP at 11:40 a.m.,” said the district.
Parents were commenting online about what they heard about the incident from their children who were attending classes.
Those comments, uncorroborated by police, included there being more than one teen involved, more than one gun, and threats made.
One parent noted the Grade 11 and 12 students where held inside the school, while the Grade 8, 9, and 10 students were on their lunch break and not allowed back into the school once the doors were locked.
A witness who was on the field outside the school said they saw three RCMP SUV’s pull up to the school at about 11:15 a.m.
Another person noted they saw a video of a police officer with their gun pointed at the 16 year old, before the teen was taken into custody.
Maple Ridge RCMP said the incident is still under investigation, as officers are continuing to take statements and determine what exactly took place.
The hold and secure was put in place out of an abundance of caution, the RCMP said.
“Maple Ridge RCMP appreciates the public’s assistance in reporting this incident. No further details will be released at this time,” said police.
Meanwhile SD42 are asking parents and guardians who have questions and concerns to reach out directly to Tara Tait, the principal overseeing summer learning, at the school at 604-463-2001.
To learn more about the SD42 school safety notification system, go to: https://www.sd42.ca/school-safety-notification/.