A teenager is facing criminal charges after a threat was made against an Alberta high school, forcing it into lockdown on Friday.
Police said a 17-year-old male, who can’t be identified, was arrested at his home in Ponoka, Alta., where officers found ammunitions and weapons, including a high-powered rifle.
RCMP were dispatched to Ponoka Composite High school after it was placed under a lockdown Friday morning. All students were eventually sent home and no one was hurt.
Police said the teen is facing charges of uttering threats, unsafe storage of firearms and possession of weapons dangerous to public peace. He is expected to appear in court next week.
Meanwhile, a school in Devon, Alta. also closed Friday after a Grade 9 student posted a threat on Facebook.
Police said the students’ safety was never in jeopardy, but another school also made some cancellations as a precaution because the student responsible for the Facebook post used to attend there.
Education officials said Alberta schools are on heightened alert in the wake of a mass shooting in Newtown, Conn. that left 20 elementary school students and six adult staff members dead.
With files from CTV Edmonton and The Canadian Press
