Two Leduc schools closed after threat of gun violence posted on social media

Two Leduc schools were closed Friday following a social media post reportedly threatening gun violence.

Ecole Leduc Jr. High School (ELJHS) and Leduc Composite High School (LCHS) were closed on Friday and all classes, extracurricular activities, field trips, sports and other activities cancelled, Bill Romanchuk, Black Gold School Division superintendent, wrote in a letter to parents posted on the division's website.

“(Thursday) evening the Leduc RCMP made us aware of a social media post threatening gun violence against ELJHS and LCHS students and staff,” said Romanchuk.

“It is early in the police investigation and we cannot comment on the validity of the threat. However, given the recent events, and to ensure the safety of all students and staff, we are exercising with extreme caution while we let the police continue their investigation.”

Romanchuk told Postmedia Friday afternoon that the recent school shootings in the U.S. has the public at a “heightened awareness” but the division would have the same approach to these threats if they happened a month ago.

He said it was too early to announce a decision on whether the two schools would be open on Monday.

In an update Friday afternoon, Romanchuk said the division will update parents by Sunday at 6 p.m. to determine whether ELJHS and LCHS will be open on Monday.

All other Leduc schools remained open, however, Romanchuk said there was about a 40 per cent drop in attendance at the other division schools in Leduc on Friday.

“I'm going to put this down as them being worried, and rightly so. We're going to continue to follow it and do the best we can,” he said.

Anyone with information regarding the threats is asked to contact the Leduc RCMP or Crime Stoppers as Mounties continue to investigate.

A potential threat to Paul Kane High School in St. Albert Friday morning initiated a separate RCMP investigation.

In an update addressed to families, the school administration said Mounties have assured them the situation was under control and it was safe for students and staff to be at the school.

The letter asked those with any information regarding the situation to contact the RCMP.