Edmonton schools, hospital placed on lockdown due to weapons threats: police

Six Edmonton schools and a hospital were placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon due to police incidents in the surrounding area.

The EPS says while investigators are continuing to look into the incidents, they did confirm four of the schools and the hospital were placed on high alert after they received bomb and firearm threats by phone, between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.

The three Edmonton Public Board Schools (EBPS) were Calder School, Dickinsfield School, and Northmount School.

“When a school is in lockdown, the doors are locked and students and staff remain quiet in their classrooms with the lights off. While on alert, the exterior doors are closed and no one is allowed to enter or exit the building, but classes continue as normal,” the board said in a statement to CityNews.

The EBPS noted that letters were being sent home to the families of students within those schools.

In addition, Newton School which is no longer operational, was also placed on lockdown due to an unrelated incident. While no students were present, the EBPS says staff were at the school during the day.

Three Edmonton Catholic Schools also placed in lockdown were St. Philip Catholic Elementary School, Cardinal Leger Catholic Junior High School, and St. Edmund Catholic Elementary/Junior High School.

“We followed the direction of the Edmonton Police Service while they investigated the calls. Students and staff were safe at all times and we remained On-Alert until it was lifted by EPS. We will always take whatever precaution is necessary to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” said a spokesperson for the Edmonton Catholic School Board.

The EPS said the Royal Alexandria Hospital also received similar threats by phone.

The agency adds, “The threats appear to be unsubstantiated, and are being investigated as swatting incidents.” Before stating, “There is currently no threat to public safety.”

-With files from Elliott Knopp and Carly Robinson