N.W.T. teen arrested, guns seized from home after threat involving school event

An RCMP epaulette is seen in Edmonton, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Police in the Northwest Territories say a teen has been arrested and guns seized from a home over a social media post threatening a school event.

RCMP say the post, showing a youth holding a gun, was reported Thursday.

They say the post had a threatening caption relating to an upcoming school sporting event.

A 15-year-old student was identified in a town in the southern region, and officers seized five firearms and an air gun from the teen’s home.

The accused is charged with uttering threats and firearms offences, and has been released from custody.

Earlier this week, Mounties said a 13-year-old student was arrested after a Yellowknife school reported a photo on social media of the boy posing with a gun.

Schools have been on high alert after six people were shot and killed last week at a high school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.,

Mounties in Alberta have said they’ve seen an uptick in weapons calls and school lockdowns since the mass shooting.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 20, 2026.