Threat in U.S. leads to closure of Beaconsfield High School
Social media post put parents on high alert from Kentucky to Ontario
Beaconsfield High School was closed Tuesday morning after Montreal police alerted school officials about a social media post that threatened students.
But the threat against BHS on the West Island was unfounded, police said on Tuesday afternoon following an investigation.
There was a threat made on Monday against a high school with the initials BHS, but it was directed at students at Brunswick High School in Georgia.
Parents of children in schools with the initials BHS from Kentucky to Ontario were on high alert as the social media post spread across North America.
Police in Glynn County, Ga., arrested a 16-year-old Brunswick High School student on Monday for making the threats. “The arrest comes after numerous students received an anonymous message that a school shooting would occur during the 4th block,” a police statement said.
The student faces charges related to terrorism and disruption of a school.
Police in Montreal were notified of the post at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday and sent officers to the school to investigate.
After being contacted by Montreal police about the alleged threat, the Lester B. Pearson School Board sent an email to BHS parents and staff notifying them of the closure.
“We turned the buses around and returned the students home,” said Jim Hendry, a spokesperson for the Pearson board. “Everybody is safe.”
In Glynn County, Georgia, the local police chief said the threat was taken seriously and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
“Disruptions of this type are serious cases and cause unwarranted fear, educational time loss and monetary loss to taxpayers,” said police chief John Powell.
Meanwhile, Durham Regional Police in Ontario assured parents of Brunswick High School that their kids were safe. It cautioned in a second tweet: “That being said, social media can have a huge impact with what you post on social media platforms and can affect others. Please post wisely. This incident resulted in criminal charges.”