N.S. high school put in lockdown over report of people with firearm

UPDATE: RCMP said on Tuesday that no charges will be laid in the incident.

A Windsor, N.S. high school was placed under lockdown for about 15 minutes on Monday afternoon, after reports of four people walking into the school with a firearm.

RCMP sent a notification about the incident at at Avon View High School at 12:15 p.m., adding there were no reports of shots fired or injuries.

“Officers have located a pellet gun, 2 youths in custody,” RCMP tweeted.

After police searched the school a third youth was taken into custody.

RCMP said at 12:38 p.m. that there was no threat to the school, students or staff and that officers remained on scene investigating.

In a letter to families, the school’s principal, Paul Hanson, revealed that the pellet gun was located in a vehicle in the parking lot and that police later determined the gun was “never brought into the school.”

Hanson said that students and staff stayed in their classrooms “behind locked doors and were safe at all times” while RCMP investigated.

“I understand an event like this is very stressful and concerning. Our school counsellors are available for students who wish to reach out for support,” Hanson wrote.

On social media, some parents expressed frustration that they weren’t notified earlier about the lockdown. They only discovered what was happening through the RCMP’s tweets.

“I understand that families may be concerned information was not shared as soon as this event happened,” wrote Hanson.

“Please know we do our best to keep you informed as quickly as possible, while making sure that we provide correct information that does not interfere with the work of RCMP members.”