The start of the new school year at a southeast Calgary high school was temporarily delayed as police, including members of the bomb squad, investigated a suspicious package in Thursday.
According to the school’s Instagram account, Bishop O’Byrne High School, located in the 300 block of Shawville Boulevard Southeast, was closed during the police investigation.
Calgary Police Service officials said officers responded to the school at around 6:15 a.m. after a possible explosive device was spotted outside the building facing the north parking lot. The area was cordoned off, the building evacuated and tactical team members assessed the suspicious item that resembled a pressure cooker. After determining it was not explosive and posed no risk, the scene was cleared.
Thursday was deemed a professional growth day at the school for teachers and staff and the majority of students were not expected to arrive until after the long weekend, with staggered entry starting Tuesday, Sept. 5.
The school announced students with scheduled appointments and those requiring scheduled changes were permitted to enter the school after 11 a.m.