Sudbury police investigating threat against local high school
Sudbury police are investigating after several students received a message on social media Monday night describing a school shooting.
Multiple complaints were called in shortly after 6:05 p.m. after several youths received a screenshot of a Snapchat post regarding a potential threat at St. Charles College, Greater Sudbury Police Service said in a news release Tuesday morning.
St. Charles College in Sudbury. March 7/23 (Alana Everson/CTV Northern Ontario)
"Officers have spoken to the youth identified in the post, as well as, multiple students who received the post. Currently, we do not believe there to be a risk to staff and students," police said.
"The youth believed to be responsible will not be attending school today (Tuesday) as the investigation is ongoing."
After 10:30 a.m. Tuesday police released an update saying the youth mentioned in the Snapchat post is not responsible and it originated from a fake account used to target the individual.
The origin of the threat is being looked at by the criminal investigations division.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"We take these types of incidents very seriously and the safety of staff and students is our top priority," police said.
As a result, there will be an increased police presence at the school and additional resources will be made to students.
"We know that social media is very prevalent and is becoming more and more used by youth as form of communication. However, youth do have to realize the consequences that are associated to expressing these kinds of incidents online as well as using it to target or cyberbully other youth," Sudbury police spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn told CTV News in an interview.
Dunn said the punishment for an incident "like this can range from something internally within the school from disciplinary action including suspension all the way up to criminal charges which include public mischief."
CTV News reached out to the Sudbury District Catholic School Board for comment and is awaiting a response.
Anyone with information about the incident who has not already spoken to police is asked to come forward. Call police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.