Two Fort Erie 15-year-olds charged after threats called into three schools

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Published January 30, 2023 at 4:48 pm

John Brant Public School in Fort Erie.

Two Fort Erie teenagers were charged after three separate threats were called into Fort Erie elementary schools last week.

On Jan. 26, a bomb threat was called into John Brant Public School while on Jan. 24, a gun threat was called into Garrison Road Public School. A third threat of an unknown nature was also called into Stevensville Public School, also on Jan. 24.

In all three cases, Niagara Police issued a “shelter in place” safety procedure for the schools “out of an abundance of caution.”

As well, streets around the three schools were cordoned off from traffic, disrupting the town.

On Jan 27., police charged two 15-year-old males from Fort Erie with three counts of uttering threats, three counts of false messages and three counts of public mischief.

The two males were held in custody for video bail hearings on Jan. 28 at the courthouse in St. Catharines.

The Youth Criminal Justice Act of Canada prohibits the Niagara Regional Police Service from identifying young persons charged with a crime.

The Niagara Police said they “would like to thank the community of Fort Erie for their patience and cooperation as we investigated these incidents this week.  We would like to also acknowledge the cooperation of the staff of the affected schools and the Senior Management of the District School Board of Niagara.”

They added, “As a result of the investigation detectives do not believe there is an ongoing safety concern related to these incidents.  We are committed to the belief that schools must remain a safe place for our children, their educators, and the support staff.”

The investigation remains ongoing by the police who are asking anyone with information about the incidents to call 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1022300.

 

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