OPP respond to threat report and fake gun incidents at high school in Bancroft, Ont.

An OPP cruiser is pictured in this undated photo. (Source: OPP Central Region)

Ontario Provincial Police say they responded to two separate incidents at North Hastings High School in Bancroft on Wednesday, one involving reported threats and another involving a fake firearm.

According to a news release from OPP, shortly after 8 a.m., officers began investigating information on social media that suggested a student posed a risk to the school.

Officers spoke with students, staff and guardians and determined the threats were “not supported by evidence.”

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“Police did not identify any credible risk to students or staff, and there is no ongoing safety concern,” OPP wrote.

Police say a youth is facing charges related to public mischief as a result of the investigation.

“The OPP reminds the public that false or unverified reports involving school safety can cause significant distress and may result in criminal charges,” OPP wrote. “Anyone with concerns regarding school safety is encouraged to report them directly to police or school officials.”

Cap gun seized

In a separate news release, police said they investigated an incident of a suspected firearm at the high school that was reported in the afternoon during a fire drill.

When police arrived on the scene, they concluded that the item was a cap gun. Police say they conducted a follow-up investigation and found no real firearms were involved.

A youth was arrested, charged, and then released in accordance with Youth Criminal Justice Act.

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“The OPP reminds students and parents that imitation or replica firearms brought onto school property can cause fear and disruption,” OPP wrote. “Any item resembling a weapon will be treated as real until verified, for the safety of students, staff, and responding officers.”

OPP told CTV News Ottawa these incidents involved separate students.

Bancroft OPP ask anyone with information related to these incidents to contact them at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.