Police take youth into custody, recover firearm at Bowness High School

One youth is in custody following what Bowness High School administration called an “emerging investigation” on Wednesday morning. And police have recovered a firearm from the incident.

Calgary Police Service said officers were called to the school just before 10 a.m. “after it was reported that a student was in possession of a firearm.”

A letter from the school’s principal to parents said school administration assisted officers.

“The event did occur during school hours, thus several students were aware of a significant police presence,” Jana Macdonald wrote. “The police acted quickly and at no time were classes disrupted.”

CPS said officers took one youth in custody and recovered one firearm.

Police told Global News the weapon was a real firearm but it was not discharged.

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The whole ordeal has shaken some parents and students.

Grade 10 student Kolton Cichacki said officers and school administrators took the student out of class, treating the weapon as a real threat.

“It’s a gun. It’s something you hear about quite often, but it’s not something you’d expect to happen at your school,” Cichacki said. “I never thought that I would have that happen here.

“It’s kind of scary.”

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Jaden Phillips agreed the first period incident was startling.

“Once people found out cops were going around, everyone was kind of talking,” the Grade 10 student told Global News. “And then people saw the gun get pulled out of the guy’s bag.”

He added students were restricted from walking around the school hallways for an hour or two.

Police continue to investigate the incident and Macdonald said the school is unable to share information about the investigation.

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She said the school takes student safety very seriously and the Calgary Board of Education has processes in place for unexpected events like this.

“These processes were followed by staff and students and everyone was safe at all times,” Macdonald wrote to parents.

Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to call the non-emergency line at 403-266-1234.