Lockdown due to ‘potential shooter situation’
Fredericton Police Force says student received threatening text from unknown number
Friday afternoon’s lockdown at Fredericton High School stemmed from an anonymous threat that an armed shooter was about to target the facility, police report, but no danger was found.
The police force announced on Facebook just before 4 p.m. that officers were responding to “a potential threat” at Fredericton High School on Priestman Street.
“The school is in a lockdown, and the public are asked to please avoid the area until further notice,” it wrote in the post.
The building remained on lockdown for a couple of hours, with an unknown number of students and staff members.
The lockdown was lifted shortly before 6 p.m. and people were allowed to leave.
In an update posted on Facebook just before 7 p.m., the Fredericton Police Force revealed what prompted the situation and the heavy police presence at FHS.
“This afternoon at 3:35 p.m., the Fredericton Police Force (FPF) responded to a potential threat at Fredericton High School. A student received a text message from an unknown number indicating a potential shooter scenario, prompting the school administration to contact 911,” it said.
Police were on the scene within a couple of minutes, and the lockdown was put into effect as officers secured the building to ensure the safety of those within, the force said.
“After conducting a preliminary search and assessing the situation, the threat was determined not to be credible,” the post stated, adding that’s when the lockdown was lifted.
“Although this threat turned out to be unfounded, the FPF will always treat such situations with the utmost seriousness and take all necessary precautions to ensure everyone's safety.”
The force thanked the public for its co-operation during the lockdown and noted school administrators were to be commended for taking quick action.
Friday’s events come eight days after police responded to the school after receiving a weapons call.
On Nov. 28, police reported, a 14-year-old student was arrested and then released on conditions, with a promise to appear in court at a later date.
Among the potential charges that boy could face are possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace and carrying a concealed weapon, a police spokesperson said last week.
Police spokesperson Sonya Gilks told the Fredericton Independent on Friday evening that Friday’s events aren’t connected to last week’s weapons call.
The Fredericton Independent can be reached at ftonindependent@gmail.com.