Youth arrested for allegedly making bomb threats toward Fredericton schools

Bomb threats forced several Fredericton schools to close on Tuesday.

A youth has been arrested for allegedly making bomb threats toward schools in the Fredericton area Tuesday morning.

The Fredericton Police Force says the affected schools were all evacuated or locked down as a precaution while police helped redirect students, staff and traffic to safe areas. School buses that were on their way to the buildings were redirected to designated evacuation locations.

“Investigators later identified the source of the threats and arrested a youth, who cannot be named as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act,” said police Tuesday afternoon.

“Further investigation determined that threats made to schools outside Fredericton’s jurisdiction were also traced back to the same individual.”

Superintendent for the Anglophone School District West, David McTimoney, said the threat came in the form of an email.

“It made reference to bombs surrounding the school on site,” he said.

Following an assessment of the threat, McTimoney said no one would enter the schools named.

Police say all the schools have since been cleared, deemed safe, and there is no threat to public safety. They did not comment on possible charges against the youth.

The following schools remained closed for the day:

• Fredericton High School
• George Street Middle School
• Nashwaaksis Middle School
• Barker’s Point School
• Leo Hayes High School
• Assiniboine Avenue Elementary School

Moncton school closed

Meanwhile, classes were also cancelled at Arnold H. McLeod School in Moncton, N.B., due to a “concerning message” Tuesday.

Anglophone East School District Supt. Randy MacLEAN sent a notification letter to parents.

“Due to the receipt of a concerning message this morning, Arnold H McLeod will be closed today, Tuesday, November 4th out of an abundance of care and caution and to allow RCMP to conduct their investigation into the information,” said MacLEAN.

Students and staff who were already at the school were evacuated from the building and taken to an evacuation site Tuesday morning.

The RCMP says it has concluded its investigation into the message. It says the school and surrounding areas are safe and there is no risk to students or staff.

The school will reopen on Wednesday.

According to its website, Arnold H. McLeod School has 410 students from kindergarten to Grade 5.

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