A 15-year-old student has been brought up on charges after reportedly releasing a harmful substance within Barrie high school premises. The incident led to several students experiencing health complications, temporarily putting the school into lockdown mode.
Fire department officials have indicated that the substance dispersed in the hallway of Innisdale Secondary School was likely bear spray. The school’s address is on the corner of Little Avenue and Bayview Drive.
In response to the incident, pupils were instructed to stay within their classrooms while emergency personnel evaluated the situation. Following the initial assessment, a break was given to staff and students for lunch while firefighters conducted their procedures.
Curtis Gray, Barrie Fire Department Platoon Chief, spoke to the press stating the necessity to ventilate the school due to the nature of the spray. “Given it was either a mist or vapour, it easily dispersed throughout the school,” he explained.
Though Gray confirmed at least one student was affected by the spray, further victims showing similar symptoms came forward. He added, “Most of the time, unless the spray makes direct contact with the eyes, the symptoms are mild: eye and throat irritation. They typically subside within a few minutes upon moving to fresh air.”
Consequently, the young student at the center of the occurrence has been charged with assault with a weapon, dangerous weapons, and administering a harmful substance. His identity remains undisclosed as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act stipulations.
Additional measures followed, with the rest of the day resuming normally after the lockdown was rapidly lifted when the matter was fully understood. However, the Simcoe County District School Board has announced that a part of the school will remain shut down for the time being.
