Student arrested after threats made to Whyte Ridge school

A student was taken into police custody after violent threats were made at a middle school this week.

Henry G. Izatt Middle School on Scurfield Boulevard in Whyte Ridge was evacuated Wednesday after a threat was written in a bathroom stall, Pembina Trails School Division said.

Winnipeg police swept the building before determining it was safe for students to return.

School staff investigated and advised parents supports were available for students. The division said “enhanced supervision” of students would remain in place for the time being.

A similar threat was written on a stall on Thursday and prompted a hold-and-secure.

Winnipeg Police Service spokeswoman Const. Dani McKinnon confirmed the threats were reported to law enforcement and that a student was taken into custody Thursday. She said the youth hadn’t been charged as of Thursday.

“(Wednesday), around 11:30, Winnipeg police responded to that school in regards to a threatening message that was located written on one of the school’s walls… as well as unverifiable information that had been circulating on social media,” said McKinnon. “Out of an abundance of caution, the school was evacuated and cleared by police.”

McKinnon said officers determined there was no threat to safety Wednesday, but kept investigating and arrested the youth on Thursday, after the second threat was made.

She said police don’t believe there’s any danger to the school. The school division said no weapon was involved.

The principal and vice-principal advised parents on Thursday the “student of concern” would not return to the school “at this time.”

The division said counsellors, clinicians and police would provide support to students and staff.

A parent said the threat on Wednesday was said to have involved shooting up the school, which has students in grades 5 to 9.

The dad, who didn’t want his name used, said his daughter advised him about the threat in text messages around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

“She was very scared, that somebody said that they were going to be shooting people in the school at the noon hour,” he said.

Police searched students’ bags and lockers on Wednesday, and conducted interviews with a number of students, including his daughter, he said.

The dad said he was upset with how the school addressed the incidents.

“It sounds like there was quite a bit of miscommunication with how they handled the lockdown,” he said.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca