RCMP in Spruce Grove are investigating a complaint of a man carrying what looked like a handgun, while walking near a middle school, over the lunch hour on Tuesday. It’s the second gun complaint in the area in just two weeks.
Police got the call at about 12:35 p.m. Greystone School was put into lockdown for about two hours while the area was searched by officers on foot, police dogs, and a helicopter, with no success.
“I don’t know how this guy got away so fast,” said RCMP Cpl. Kimberly Mueller.
Tuesday’s incident comes just two weeks after a 14-year-old boy described having a gun pulled on him while walking to school in the same area. In that case, the boy was walking in a back alley off Winchester Avenue, which is just two kilometres from Greystone School, and just south of three other schools.
Mueller said RCMP received several leads and tips immediately afterwards, and investigators have “a couple” of people of interest. A few tips have also come in related to Tuesday’s incident.
Mueller said the two cases could “possibly” be related, though there is no confirmed connection, and while both are being taken seriously, said: “I still firmly believe this is a safe, suburban community.”
The man in the incident near Greystone school was not seen pointing the weapon at anyone, and is not believed to have made any threats, but police would like to find him.
He had short, brown hair, and was wearing a black hooded jacket with the hood up, grey sweat pants, and black and white Nike sneakers.
Anyone with information about the incident, or the suspect, is asked to call Stony Plain RCMP at 780-968-7200, or can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
*Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Dec. 1. It was updated on Dec. 2 to include RCMP comments on a similar incident.
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