Three male youth face charges after Red Deer RCMP investigated an online threat directed at Hunting Hills High School on Friday.
Police say the investigation began the morning of March 2 after school administration and Red Deer RCMP received reports of a threat on the social media platform Instagram, in which several youth were alleged to have discussed bringing firearms to the school. Hunting Hills High School was placed in lockdown as a safety precaution; RCMP took three youth into custody at the school and the lockdown was lifted after those arrests. There was no immediate danger to students or staff and the youth were not in possession of weapons at the time of their arrests.
A 17 year old male and two 16 year old males each face one charge of uttering threats under section 264.1(1) of the Criminal Code. Each has been released from custody with numerous conditions and are all scheduled to appear in court in Red Deer on March 15 at 9:30 am. Their names cannot be released in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
“RCMP take statements like this very seriously and investigate them as a threat to public safety,” says Corporal Karyn Kay of the Red Deer RCMP. “People need to understand that uttering threats on social media is a Criminal Code offence, and Red Deer RCMP will treat it with the seriousness that all threats to the safety of the public deserve.”
Red Deer RCMP commend students and staff at the high school for their prompt action in engaging police and for their cooperation during the course of the investigation.