Student charged in school threat

One youth has been charged in connection to a threatening message that was discovered on a bathroom wall at Ecole secondaire catholique l'Horizon earlier this week, the Greater Sudbury Police Service said in a media release issued on Friday.

A student, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was identified by police as the person believed to be responsible for a message discovered at the school on Monday morning which warned of a school shooting the following day. They were arrested and charged with uttering threats and mischief — interrupt or interfere with lawful use, enjoyment, or operation of property.

“Based on the investigation and in consultation with administration and the youth's parent, the youth has been referred to a diversion program under the Youth Criminal Justice Act,” the police service said in its release.

“We would like to thank the students, staff and administration of Ecole secondaire catholique l'Horizon and the mental health team from Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon for the co-operation throughout this matter.”

Officers were first dispatched to the school in response to a “a suspicious incident” on Monday just before 9 a.m., the police service said in an earlier release, after students reportedly located a message on a bathroom wall that warned of a shooting on Tuesday.

Students who discovered the message immediately notified school administrators, who then contacted police.

GSPS advised there would be an increased, visible police presence at the school on Tuesday to ensure public safety and to support students and staff.