By Sheldon Spackman and Josh Hall

School lockdown

Potential threat forces lockdowns at Stettler schools

Dec 21, 2019 | 11:44 AM

Stettler, AB – Two males are in custody after RCMP followed up on a report Friday from a concerned parent that there may be a shooting at the Wm. E. Hay Stettler Seconday campus.

RCMP say they received the initial report from a parent on Friday morning around 10:30; the parent had relayed information to police that two students were overheard talking about shooting up the school.

Officials with Clearview Public Schools found out about the threat around 11 a.m. RCMP were on site at Hay, along with Stettler Elementary and Christ King Catholic School to assist with the lockdowns.

At approximately 11:45 a.m., parents were notified of the lockdown via School Messenger. At 12:10 p.m., RCMP notified the schools involved that the lockdown could be lifted.

RCMP say the students later turned themselves in.

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During the lockdowns, staff supervised and supported students.

“We appreciate the cooperation of our students, staff, parents and RCMP in addressing and resolving this matter,” says Superintendent Peter Barron, in a release. “Students were released for lunch at approximately 12:30 p.m. Afternoon activities resumed at 1:15 p.m.”

Associate Superintendent Peter Neale says the lockdowns were put in place as a precautionary measure.

“There was a rumour in the community of a potential threat to the school,” says Neale. “RCMP came and discussed the possible risk to the school and to students, and as a precautionary measure, we entered into a lockdown until the RCMP could talk to the people they needed to talk to and confirm that the incident could be resolved without any harm to kids.”

Neale says it’s important to note that at no time were students at risk, thanking the RCMP for their help in resolving the matter.

The RCMP investigation continues. It hasn’t yet been determined if there was a credible theat. Any concern relating to safety at a school is treated as a real threat until proven otherwise, RCMP add.