Summerside Police Service officers kept a watchful eye on Three Oaks Senior High School throughout the day Friday.
The unusual presence of officers in the school was a precautionary measure and a result of online chatter that some kind of an attack on the facility was planned for April 20.
Police, working with school officials, determined there was no credible threat to staff and students and classes continued as usual.
The situation came to light Thursday afternoon when School officials became aware of rumours that a video existed online, purportedly showing a student making threats.
A police investigation ensued and the student in question was quickly identified. However, no video was found and no one who had actually watched it could be located.
“The student who is alleged to have made this video has been identified and police do not have anything to substantiate the threat at this time,” said Summerside police in a statement.
Gerald MacCormack, one of the school’s vice-principals, said Friday it was a quiet day at the facility as a significant number of students were on sport and band-related trips.
Between Thursday evening, when a notice to parents about the supposed threats was issued, and Friday at lunchtime, when he spoke to the Journal Pioneer, he’d been made aware of no new information that would lend credibility to the rumours, he said.
It was, despite the precautionary police presence, a relatively normal school day.
“We have nothing to make us believe there was or is a threat to the school,” MacCormack, said.
Summerside Police added Friday afternoon that their investigation into this matter is ongoing. They continue to ask that anyone who may have watched the allegedly threatening video to contact them.
@JournalPMacLean
