On Nov. 27 the Kitscoty RCMP received a third party complaint that a male threatened to shoot up a school. The RCMP responded by alerting the school, taking immediate action to effect an arrest and charges have been laid.
Shortly after 1 p.m. RCMP were alerted to information that a male told a third party that he was going to shoot up a school. While no specific school was named in the threat, the RCMP determined where this male was located and contacted EH Walter School, which was in close proximity to him. The school went into a hold and secure situation, and the safety of all the students and staff was ensured.
By 2:10 p.m. the suspect male was in police custody, without incident, in the Rivercourse area. As part of the investigation, the RCMP seized several firearms from his residence.
A 51-year-old male has been charged with two counts of uttering threats. A judicial interim release hearing has been held, and he was released for a court appearance on Jan. 14, 2020 in Llodyminster provincial court.
"We take threats involving a school very seriously, it is a serious offence and the RCMP will respond accordingly" says Sergeant Corey Buckingham of the Kitscoty RCMP. "Safety of our students, teachers and our community is our number one priority and we're pleased with the partnership with EH Walter School and the minimal disruption to the students and staff."