BALGONIE — The Saskatchewan RCMP have made multiple arrests after the police seized BB-style long guns at a high school in Balgonie.
At 11:05 a.m. on Wednesday, Sask. RCMP received a report from a person passing by the school on Highway 1, who saw an individual with a long-barreled firearm outside a vehicle’s passenger window.
“Saskatchewan RCMP officers from multiple units, including white-beaut detachment, emergency response team, police dog services and combined traffic services, responded immediately,” said Jillian McLaren, Insp. with the Saskatchewan RCMP South District during a media scrum on Wednesday.
During this time, Greenall High School went into a hold and secure.
“The report was received by school administration, [so] we were aware that the threat was not inside the school, so we moved our process, which is hold and secure,” explained Gord Husband, Director of Education and CEO of Prairie Valley School Division.
At 11:30 a.m, officers arrested two young males inside the school who have been confirmed to be students at Greenall High School.
“They [officers] located and seized three BB-style long guns in a vehicle in the school parking lot,” said McLaren.
Since the males are youth, they cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
With the arrest happening inside the school, Husband explained why a lockdown wasn’t initiated.
“The situation seemed to start entering the school, which again didn't result in a full lockdown, but it did result in precautionary actions being taken by our school staff.”
Over the next few hours, McLaren said Balgonie residents can expect to see a large police presence, but assured there is no risk to public safety.
She also confirmed no injuries from the incident.
As for the school, Husband said parents will be notified of the incidents through their communication channels.
The school division will also provide additional support for students impacted by the incident.
"This does create a level of anxiousness because it is a very real issue that we have encountered today, but we also want to ensure that our staff is also in a spot that allows them to function at the highest possible level they can,” said Husband.
The investigation remains ongoing as it’s still in the early stages, and McLaren couldn’t comment on any motives or potential arrests.
