Quesnel RCMP responded to a report of a suspicious man with a gun in the Uplands area near Voyageur Elementary School.
Sergeant Clay Kronebusch says police got the call at around 8:20 a.m.
“The man was reported to be carrying what was believed to be a gun in his hand. The school was placed on a hold and secure. Police attended and located the man who did not have any weapons on him. He had been in possession of a lighter that he had disposed of in the bushes but could have been mistaken for a gun. Police retrieved the lighter and confirmed that it was not a weapon.”
Kronebusch says the person that called it in still did the right thing however.
“Ya definitely if any suspicious activity like that, especially nears schools. We appreciate the reports from the public, just to ensure that the public is safe. We encourage people to call whenever they see something that they believe to be out of place.
Dan Lowndes, Superintendent of the Quesnel School District, confirms that the school was placed in a Hold and Secure.
“The RCMP responded immediately, and the school was able to return to normal activities by 8:42 a.m. At no time was there a direct threat to the safety of our students or staff.”
“I would like to thank the staff at the school and in the transportation department for their swift and compassionate response. We have sound plans to ensure the safety of students and staff, and I sincerely appreciate our team’s willingness to use these plans efficiently.”
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