Two teens are facing charges after students at a Cape Breton high school reported seeing the teens carrying guns at the school Wednesday.
Memorial High School didn’t go into lockdown mode, but students knew something was wrong when police arrived at the school in Sydney Mines, N.S.
“The cops went and found them before they could lock down the school,” says student John Confiant. “There was a lot of cops around yesterday.”
Police say the guns turned out to be a cap gun and starter pistol but a 15-year-old and 17-year-old are facing weapons charges.
“They are still weapons that can be used for the wrong reasons,” says Cape Breton Regional Police spokesperson Desiree Vassallo.
“They can be used intentionally to threaten and intimidate somebody and cause injury.”
Students say they were relieved to hear the guns weren’t real.
“If it was a real gun I would be kind of nervous, but under the circumstances it wasn’t too bad,” says student Liam Nicholson. “It’s still kind of major bringing the gun to school.”
The Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board is investigating the matter. They say it’s uncommon, but not unheard of, to see weapons in schools.
“Very concerning to the board,” says Charles Sheppard, co-ordinator of school services. “We did have a weapons offence last year or the year before. That’s why we have taken due diligence in our new procedures in terms of locking down.”
Each teen faces charges of possession of a weapon and carrying a concealed weapon.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
