EDMONTON – Albert Lacombe Elementary School was put in a “hold and secure” state shortly before 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday after unconfirmed reports that a Grade 8 student may have had a knife in the playground.
The school notified St. Albert RCMP and all students were accounted for.
Wild Rose Elementary School also activated a “hold and secure” state as a precaution.
In this case, the “hold and secure” meant the school accounted for all students and all doors to the school were locked. However, classes inside continued.
The RCMP searched the surrounding area for the Grade 8 boy.
He was found near Sir George Simpson Junior High School around 1:30 p.m. and taken into custody without incident. At the time of the arrest, he did not have a knife or any other weapon in his possession.
“No weapon has been found at the school or in the surrounding area,” said Cpl. Laurel Kading with St. Albert RCMP. “At this point in time, of course, part of our investigation will be trying to determine: was there a weapon and can we account for its whereabouts?”
“Thanks to the professional and prompt action of Albert Lacombe Elementary School and the immediate response of our officers, we were able to contain the situation quickly and safely,” said RCMP Cpl. Niki Borden
“The school did very good steps in this,” added Kading. “We’re actually very pleased with the response that they had.”
The name of the student and his school are not being released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The investigation is ongoing.
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