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Toronto police say a suspicious package has been neutralized after an elementary school and a daycare were evacuated as a precaution Wednesday morning.
Police said emergency services were called at around 9:45 a.m. after a black suitcase found at Bennington Heights Elementary School.
Toronto District School Board spokesperson Ryan Bird told Global News that staff at the elementary school located an “unidentified, suspicious suitcase outside the building.”
“As a precaution, the building was evacuated and staff and students have walked over to Rolph Road ES while police continue their investigation. All students and staff are safe.”
Bennington Heights Daycare was also evacuated. The children were taken to the Loblaws at 301 Moore Avenue, where parents were able to pick them up.
Parents were able to pick their children up there.
Inspt. Jim Gotell told Global News the suitcase was found with a note which read, “bomb.” He said the bomb squad was called in and after a preliminary investigation, they made the determination that the safest course was to do a controlled explosion.
Gotell said he believes the suitcase and note were a prank but “a prank that can cause a lot of consequences.”
Another package was also found in the schoolyard that said fireworks on it. Gotell said investigators believe it may have been leftover from the Victoria Day long weekend.
The investigation is ongoing.
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