Threats prompt closure of all schools in an Ontario town
Published October 3, 2024 at 8:22 am
All schools in a small Ontario community near Ottawa have been closed due to threats of violence.
Police received phone calls overnight from two individuals, each threatening violence at schools in Kemptville, about 58 kilometres south of the nation’s capital, and in another nearby community, Iroquois, OPP said in a post on X Thursday morning.
One of the calls named St. Michael Catholic High School in Kemptville while the other call indicated a threat against Seaway District High School in Iroquois, police said. Iroquois is located south of Kemptville.
After consultation with the OPP, the school boards decided to close all public and Catholic schools in Kemptville on Thursday as a precaution, police said.
Seaway Valley High School and Iroquois Public School are also closed.
It’s not known if the threats are legitimate, but police said they take all public safety threats seriously.
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Police are trying to identify the callers.
“The OPP understands the concerns and stress this causes for students, parents, teachers and others in the community,” police said. “We will continue to investigate these threats in an effort to hold the responsible individuals accountable.”
Anyone with information on this incident should call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
To remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
INsauga's Editorial Standards and PoliciesThe OPP in Grenville County and United Counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry are investigating threats made against multiple schools.
The telephone calls came in to police overnight from two individuals, each threatening violence at schools.
One indicated St. Michael… pic.twitter.com/KbRd8omDJF— OPP East Region (@OPP_ER) October 3, 2024