RCMP charge youth with school threat hoax

Fake threat sent to about 300 students via social media, police say

Article by CBC News

RCMP in Red Deer have charged a 16-year-old male after an alleged threat against a local high school turned out to be a hoax.

Police said the youth took a photo of a friend holding an airsoft rifle and posted it to social media Sunday evening, with a warning that students shouldn’t go to school the next day. An airsoft rifle is a replica firearm that can fire projectiles.

“Perhaps the suspect thought he was playing a joke, but RCMP take public safety threats very seriously,” said RCMP Cpl. Karyn Kay in a news release.

Investigators, working with the Red Deer Public School District, said they “very quickly” determined there was no actual threat and that the person in the photo didn’t know the context in which his image was being shared.

The youth who allegedly took the picture now faces a Criminal Code charge of False Information (Intent to Alarm).

“Actions such as this can spread incredibly fast through social media and cause panic and trauma to hundreds of people,” said Kay.

Police plan to visit Hunting Hills High School Monday morning to reassure students and staff.

Read more at: cbc.ca