Police in Lethbridge, Alberta, responded to a written threat found at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute on Monday morning, triggering precautionary lockdowns at that school and four nearby schools.
According to the Lethbridge Police Service, school staff discovered the threatening message on school property. It contained a warning of harm to students and staff, leading staff to contact police immediately.
A full lockdown was issued around 10:55 a.m. at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. At the same time, external lockdowns were put in place as a safety measure at St. Francis Junior High School, Ecole St. Mary, Victoria Park High School, and Catholic Central High School. These four nearby schools went into lockdown as a precaution, even though the threat was only found at the high school.
Police later confirmed that all lockdowns were lifted later in the day. Officers found no evidence of any imminent or ongoing risk to students or staff.
The investigation is still underway as police work to check the truth of the threat and find out who is responsible. Police have not released any details about possible suspects and say no further information will be given at this time.
This is not the first time Lethbridge schools have faced threats. In December 2021, both Lethbridge Collegiate Institute and Winston Churchill High School were closed and evacuated on the same day after threats were reported. Police later said no evidence was found to suggest any risk to students or staff in that case. In December 2019, a 17-year-old was arrested after threats were made against several students at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, with that lockdown ending within 30 minutes.
The Lethbridge Police Service is asking anyone with information to contact them at 403-328-4444.
