Several schools in Kemptville and Iroquois, Ont. are closed today as police investigate alleged threats towards two schools in eastern Ontario.
Ontario Provincial Police say police received telephone calls overnight, “each threatening violence” at St. Michael Catholic High School in Kemptville and Seaway District High School in Iroquois.
All public and Catholic schools in Kemptville are closed, along with Seaway District High School and Iroquois Public School in Iroquois “as a precaution,” according to police.
“The OPP takes all public safety threats seriously,” the OPP said. “It’s not known if the threats are legitimate. Investigative efforts to identify the callers is ongoing.”
The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) says “out of an abundance of caution,” North Grenville District High School, Kemptville Public School and South Branch Elementary School are closed to all staff and students on Thursday.
“Overnight, we were informed by police that they had information regarding a threat to St. Michael Catholic High School,” Bill Loshaw, UCDSB Superintendent of Schools, said in an email to parents early Thursday morning.
“Specifically, police received a threat indicating that St. Michael CHS would be the target of a violent incident on Thursday, October 3.”
All transportation and school activities are cancelled.
The French public school board says École élémentaire et secondaire publique Rivière Rideau in Kemptville are closed today in connection to the threats at schools in the area. The French Catholic school board says Notre-Dame Catholic Academy is also closed today.
According to the Student Transportation of Eastern Ontario website, St. Michael Catholic Intermediate School and St. Michael Catholic High School in Kemptville are closed today.
The Upper Canada District School Board says Seaway District High School and Iroquois Public School in Iroquois are also closed today due to an alleged threat.
“Overnight, we were informed by police that they had information regarding a threat to Seaway District High School,” the UCDSB said in a statement.
“Specifically, police received a threat indicating that Seaway DHS would be the target of a violent incident on Thursday, October 3.”
CTV News Ottawa has reached out to the Catholic District School Board for more information.
The OPP says anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact 1-888-310-1122.
This is a developing story. CTV News Ottawa will have the latest as it becomes available.