A 15-year-old has been charged after a firearm, later determined to be a BB gun, was displayed during a confrontation, prompting a number of east-end schools to be placed under hold and secure on Wednesday. Toronto police said they got a call shortly before 9:30 a.m. for a person with a gun near Gerrard Street East and Broadview Avenue. An investigation determined that two youths had a verbal confrontation outside of a school, during which a firearm was seen. Police said the youth with the alleged firearm later fled on foot. About eight schools were placed under hold and secure “out of an abundance of caution” as police investigated the incident. In a news release on Thursday, police announced the suspect surrendered himself to 55 Division and that the firearm was a BB gun. The teenage boy, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, assault with a weapon, and having his face masked or disguised.
