A 15-year-old boy is facing charges after he allegedly brought a toy cap gun to school, prompting three schools in Cole Harbour, N.S. to be placed under hold and secure.
Police responded to Auburn Drive High School shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday after receiving a report that a student had pointed a firearm at another student inside a classroom during a practice lockdown drill.
“I heard he just had it on his lap, just was playing with it, just looking at it and stuff like that, and then someone went to tell on him,” said student Kevin Trites.
Police say the suspect jumped out of a classroom window and rain into a wooded area next to the school after the incident was reported to school officials.
“We, of course, made an immediate patrol to the scene with the assistance of Halifax Regional Police, along with Halifax Regional Police K9 unit, and conducted an immediate search of the area,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Greg Church.
Auburn Drive High School was placed under hold and secure, along with George Bissett Elementary School and Colonel John Stuart Elementary.
George Bissett and Colonel John Stuart had already been dismissed for the day, but there were EXCEL students in care at George Bissett.
The hold and secure was lifted around 3:30 p.m. and Auburn Drive students were dismissed at the regular time.
Police remained on scene to oversee the dismissal and continue searching for the suspect.
The teen was arrested without incident on Forest Hill Parkway before 4:30 p.m.
Police say they found his backpack and a toy cap gun at a residence close to where he was arrested.
The teen is facing charges of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, use of an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence and mischief.
He is due to appear in youth court on Wednesday.
The incident remains under investigation.
