Fredericton authorities have apprehended a minor suspected of issuing threats against seven schools across New Brunswick. The incident prompted evacuations at five schools in Fredericton, one in Oromocto, and one in Moncton, with students being sent home as a precautionary measure.
The youth, whose identity is protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act, allegedly sent bomb threats to all seven schools. David McTimoney, the superintendent of the Anglophone West School District, was informed of the threats early Tuesday morning. The threats, received via email, mentioned the presence of bombs around the school premises.
Following assessments by Fredericton police and discussions with the schools, the decision to close them was made around 7:30 a.m. The authorities conducted investigations, and the schools were declared safe by 10:40 a.m.
The affected schools included Fredericton High School, George Street Middle School, Nashwaaksis Middle School, Leo Hayes High School, Barker’s Point Elementary School in Fredericton, and Assiniboine Avenue Elementary School in Oromocto. Arnold H. McLeod School in Moncton also faced a threat but was confirmed safe and remained closed for the day.
Further inquiries revealed that threats made to schools outside Fredericton’s jurisdiction were connected to the same individual. Both Anglophone West and East school districts confirmed that schools would resume normal operations on Wednesday.
In response to the situation, bus students at the Moncton school were directed to an evacuation site at Lewisville Church. Buses at the other affected schools were rerouted to temporary locations with staff present to oversee students’ departure to their homes.
Students from Leo Hayes, Nashwaaksis, and Barker’s Point were relocated to Gibson-Neill Memorial Elementary School. Meanwhile, students from Fredericton High, George Street, and Assiniboine Avenue were transferred to Bliss Carman Middle School and Gesner Street Elementary, respectively. The district made efforts to contact families with children in Grade 6 or lower to ensure safe arrangements for their release.