Several B.C. high schools under RCMP investigation after online threats
Students at three B.C. high schools were on high alert to start the new school week as the RCMP investigated online threats and rumours of school shootings.
Campbell River RCMP alerted the public on Monday, March 2, to a series of online threats between a group of youths.
One of the youths posted a photo of himself with a gun, issuing a threat to others who had threatened his friend.
Campbell River School District
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“The RCMP has investigated, and the gun in question has been seized and determined to be a BB gun,” said the police in a release. “There is no credible threat to staff or students at the schools, and School District 72 has released an official notice for the school community.”
However, according to the Campbell River RCMP, rumours soon spread of a heavy police presence at one of the schools in the Vancouver Island city. There were also rumours of school shootings at both Carihi and Timberline High School.
“The Campbell River RCMP understands the fear that online threats and rumours create, especially in the wake of the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge,” added police in a statement.
“However, it is also important to receive information from credible sources, and although they are extremely quick at spreading information, local Rant and Rave pages and Snapchat groups leave a lot to be desired when it comes to information credibility.”
Campbell River RCMP advised anyone who located information about a threat online to contact their local police and report the account to the social media provider.
Vanderhoof RCMP
Authorities in B.C.’s Central Interior were also kept busy with a report of possible threats to Nechako Valley Secondary School on March 1.
Vanderhoof RCMP announced that police were actively investigating the report, but that no information has been found to suggest that the threats are credible.
“At this time, we do not believe there is any risk to the public or to those within the school,” said Cpl. Brett, RCMP spokesperson, in a release.
“We understand that these types of reports can cause concern for parents and the community, and we want to reassure everyone that we are actively investigating and will continue to maintain a presence around the school.”
Vanderhoof RCMP added that it will increase patrols in the area of the Central Interior school out of an abundance of caution.