12-year-old arrested after school vandalized in Metro Vancouver

A  12-year-old was arrested, and a 10-year-old was identified for their involvement in the incident, after an elementary school in Maple Ridge was vandalized over the weekend.

According to Ridge Meadows RCMP, the incident took place around 7:30 am on Sunday, when police were called to Fairview Elementary school after motion alarms were triggered.

Police and the Integrated Police Dog Services attended and searched the school, “observing substantial property damage,” which has resulted in the school being closed for repairs.

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The investigation “revealed two suspects, and subsequently, a 12-year-old was arrested and a 10-year-old in accompaniment was identified,” police said. “The Ministry of Children and Families Development is involved.”

Police noted that this was “an isolated incident,” and there is “no risk to the public or students at the school.”

In a statement, Fairview Acting Principal Jen Gallop confirmed that the school would reopen for in-classroom instruction on Monday.

And “while we don’t yet know the full scope of the work that will be required, we anticipate that the school will remain closed for in-classroom instruction this week,” she added. “To provide continuity of instruction for our students, we will be switching to online learning later this week.”

Police said the investigation is ongoing and no further details are available at this time.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article erroneously stated that the 10-year-old was also arrested. This article has been amended with the correct information.