Quebec provincial police have arrested three teenagers after a potential threat led to a two-hour lockdown at Massey-Vanier High School in Cowansville on Thursday morning.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) confirmed two of them were inside the school and one was outside, but none of them were armed. Investigators are meeting with the three teenagers.
Principal Julie Edwards told Global News a parent contacted the school about a possible threat involving a weapon. The administration ordered a lockdown and immediately contacted the SQ.
“If ever there is a potential for danger, we have to investigate,” said Edwards.
READ MORE: Ex-Montreal police officer, hockey coach pleads not guilty to sex crimes
The lockdown began shortly before 9:30 a.m. just as students were about go to their first-period classes, according to Edwards.
After students entered the classrooms, a code blue was issued — forcing students and teachers to lock the door and not leave the room.
Mia Tetreault, a Grade 9 student, described the situation as stressful and confusing. Tetreault and her classmates huddled in groups in the corner of the classroom until the lockdown came to an end nearly two hours later.
Teenagers were worried there was an active shooter in the building.
“There was a lot of crying,” said Tetreault. “It was just chaotic.”
The bilingual Massey-Vanier High School, which is governed by two school boards, was soon surrounded by anxious parents waiting to hear news from their children.
The Commission scolaire du Val-des-Cerfs and the Eastern Township School Board has both issued statements on social media alerting parents to the situation, but asking them to stay away during the active police operation.
READ MORE: Students flee a mass shooter in powerful back-to-school ‘survival’ video
The lockdown was lifted around 11:20 a.m. and many students headed out to meet their parents on the snowy school grounds.
“I’m just relieved,” said Melina Tetreault, Mia’s mother. “There was a lot of confusing information coming in this morning.”
Massey-Vanier High School will remain open on Thursday and Friday, but Edwards said there will be professional services on site for those who need support.
“We will provide whatever services necessary because it can shake people up a bit,” she said.
No charges have been laid, according to police.
— With files from Global News’ Tim Sargeant and the Canadian Press
Comments