Three teenagers are facing a series of criminal charges following a security scare that prompted a preventive lockdown at a Gatineau high school on Thursday afternoon. The incident at l'École Polyvalente Le Carrefour led to a significant police response and lasted approximately two hours, disrupting the school day.
Lockdown Protocol Activated After Disturbance Report
The situation began to unfold shortly before 12:30 p.m. on January 15, when the Gatineau Police Service received a call reporting a disturbance at the school, located on Chemin de la Savane. In response to the report, school officials immediately activated a lockdown protocol to ensure the safety of students and staff inside the building.
This action triggered a major deployment of police officers to the scene. Authorities swiftly secured the perimeter and began their investigation into the nature of the threat.
Police Locate and Arrest Suspects Nearby
According to a police news release issued on Friday, January 16, officers were able to determine that there was no active threat inside the school building. As a result, the lockdown order was lifted around 2:30 p.m., roughly two hours after it began. Police confirmed that no injuries were reported during the entire incident.
The investigation revealed that the three youths allegedly involved had already left the school area before police arrived. However, officers soon located and arrested the suspects nearby. All three were taken into custody without further incident.
Multiple Charges Laid, One Youth Remains in Custody
The Gatineau Police Service has laid multiple charges against the three teenagers in connection with the event. The charges include:
- Disturbing the peace
- Obstructing police work
- Wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime
- Possession of a weapon
- Failure to comply with conditions
- Carrying a knife
Following court appearances, two of the accused teenagers were released from custody. However, one of the three remains detained as the legal process continues. The names of the youths cannot be released under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The swift resolution of the lockdown and the subsequent arrests have brought relief to the school community, though the event has underscored ongoing concerns about school security. The Gatineau Police Service continues its investigation into the circumstances that led to the disturbance call.
