ST. GEORGE’S
Both Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School and Appalachia High School in St. George’s were closed today on the advice of the Bay St. George RCMP on what was considered to be the possibility of a threat.
Sgt. Blake McBride of the Bay St. George RCMP said an investigation into the matter today revealed such a threat was deemed to be false.
He said the whole matter stemmed from a social media post on Wednesday of a photo that contained weapons; however it was later determined the weapon was not a rifle but rather a BB gun.
Then on Thursday morning a lockdown was falsely activated at the school, further heightening fears amongst some of the student population and the reason for police advising on the closure of the schools.
In a prepared release from the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, it said district officials and school administrators discussed this matter with the police and organized a process to have students safely dismissed under the auspices of the RCMP.
Communication was provided to parents and guardians advising of the early closure and dismissal.
The school district said while it apologizes for any inconvenience an early dismissal may have caused families, the safety of students and staff was the priority of the schools during this process and actions were undertaken in consultation with the RCMP.
