Cops deal with weapons incident at Leo Hayes
Force, district try to ease community concerns in wake of police responses at city schools
In the wake of tense police responses at Fredericton High School, the force is now confirming that officers responded to a weapons-related incident and subsequent threat at Leo Hayes High School.
Three Fredericton Police Force cruisers were parked outside Leo Hayes High School (LHHS) on Monday morning as students arrived at school. No emergency lights or sirens were activated, and students and staff weren’t impeded from entering the facility.
In an email to parents and guardians of students that same morning, principal Kendra Frizzell said officers were on hand to deal with something that arose at the school over the weekend.
“You may have noticed at dropoff this morning that we have a police presence,” she wrote.
“This is a proactive measure in response to some concerns that happened in the community over the weekend. School is business as usual.”
The Fredericton Independent inquired with the police force about the incident this week, and in a news release issued Friday, the force revealed there was a weapons-related incident at the northside school as well as a subsequent threat to a specific student.
“At approximately 12 p.m. [Friday, Dec. 13], four youth armed with knives in a stolen vehicle attempted to access LHHS. The suspects were unable to enter due to secured doors and fled prior to police arrival,” the release said.
“Police arrived within minutes and secured the school perimeter. Investigation revealed the youth were targeting one specific individual.”
The force reported that three suspects were identified, with one left outstanding.
And on Monday, the release said, there was another incident involving online threats.
“At approximately 7:40 a.m. [Monday], a LHHS student received threatening messages via social media targeting them and the school community,” it said.
“Investigation revealed the message's author was involved in the Dec. 13 incident.”
Officers carried out “a targeted operation” and arrested three 17-year-old boys, who have since been charged with multiple alleged offences.
All three suspects are facing counts of possession of a weapon, attempted assault with a weapon and possession of stolen property.
The first teen is also accused of uttering threats and breaching a probation order.
The second faces additional counts of breaching a police undertaking and breaching a judicial release order.
Two of the suspects were remanded after brief court appearances this week, the release said, while the other was released on conditions with a promise to appear in court at a later date.
The identities of all underage defendants is protected by the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The pair who was remanded had bail hearings scheduled in Fredericton youth court Thursday. The first was denied release following his bail hearing, while the other asked for his hearing to be postponed to Monday.
Spate of incidents at high schools
The Leo Hayes police responses come on the heels of three incidents of concern at Fredericton High School on the city’s south side in recent weeks.
Police responded to FHS on Nov. 28 after receiving a report of a student with a weapon.
Officers arrested a 14-year-old male student, from whom they seized a BB gun. That boy was released on conditions and is slated to appear in court at a later date. It’s expected he’ll face charges of possessing a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace and carrying a concealed weapon.
Police made a similarly quick response to FHS the afternoon of Dec. 6 after a student received a text message from an unknown number claiming a potential shooter was in the school.
Again, a lockdown was imposed, but the threat proved to be unfounded.
“Upon investigation, the text message was determined to be of foreign origin and not directed specifically to FHS,” Friday’s news release said.
Six days later, the police force was back at FHS for what proved to be another unfounded weapons threat.
“An FHS student overheard a conversation between students indicating one was in possession of a firearm at school,” the release said.
“The student informed FHS administration, prompting a police response. Upon investigation, no threat was found to be present.”
The police force and Anglophone School District West officials acknowledged this recent series of events at the capital’s two largest schools have prompted concerns in the community.
Deputy police chief Brian Ford said the force has a responsibility to take such incidents seriously, but it also wants to provide a safe community where people can live their lives without fear.
"Ensuring the safety of students and school staff is our highest priority," he said in the release.
"As a law-enforcement entity, it is our duty to be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding our schools from any threat, in partnership with educators, parents, and the community, to create an environment where students can learn and grow without fear."
District Supt. David McTimoney said schools see student safety as a duty it performs in partnership with police.
"Maintaining a safe and secure learning environment is a shared responsibility, and our partnership with the Fredericton Police Force is absolutely critical in achieving that goal,” he said in the release.
“Together, we work to proactively address potential threats, respond to emergencies swiftly, and provide a sense of security for both students and staff."
McTimoney acknowledged such security incidents can have detrimental effects on students, teachers and other school staff members as well.
“[New Brunswick Teacher Association] teacher counsellors and the Employee Assistance Program are available to support staff who may be impacted by these recent incidents, while school counsellors remain available to assist students,” he said.
The police force and the district urged students, staff and others in the community to report any suspicious or concerning behaviour to school administration or law enforcement.
“The message remains clear: see something, say something -- always,” the release said.
Don MacPherson can be contacted at ftonindependent@gmail.com.
Time for metal detectors and if caught the kids get punished servely