OPP investigates report of person with weapon near Midland high school

OPP vehicles parked in this file image. (CTVNews/Mike Lang)

It was a tense few minutes for students and staff at a Midland high school Thursday morning after reports came in about a suspicious person possibly carrying a weapon nearby.

According to the Southern Georgian Bay OPP, officers were called around 11:45 a.m. to the area of Cook Drive and Yonge Street near Georgian Bay District Secondary School after someone reported seeing an individual believed to be armed.

As a precaution, the school was placed in a hold and secure — a safety measure that keeps everyone inside the building while classes continue as normal, but restricts anyone from entering or leaving until police give the all-clear.

Officers quickly responded, increasing their presence around the school while they searched the area. Police say the individual was located a short time later and identified. After speaking with the person, officers say they determined there was no weapon and no threats had been made.

The hold and secure was lifted just before 12:05 p.m., less than half an hour after it began.

Police say there’s no threat to public safety and thanked staff and students for their cooperation during the brief incident.

The OPP reminds the public any reports of suspicious activity—especially near schools—should always be taken seriously and reported right away to authorities.