The Waterloo Regional Police have disclosed that they have officially apprehended and charged five juveniles linked to a weapons-related incident that occurred on Thursday, inciting panic at a Kitchener school.
The police department affirmed the situation through a public statement on social media sometime just past 1 p.m., assuring the public of a heightened police patrol in the areas around Huron Road and Strasburg Road.
The situation that catalyzed the security measures took place at Huron Heights Secondary School, with the police stepping in following numerous reports regarding suspicious individuals donning masks and spotted inside a car with what was perceived to be a firearm.
Upon rushing to the location, law enforcement managed to identify and intercept the vehicle stationed in the school parking lot. The arrests of the five people occupying the vehicle were effected without any complications. Police further revealed that two imitation firearms were uncovered within the vehicle.
Subsequently, the five male teenagers were legally charged with the crime of possession of a weapon with intention of causing public harm. Currently, the inquiries into the incident are still ongoing.
In the wake of the unsettling event, feedback from affected students and parents has been pouring in. A student who pleaded anonymity described the afternoon as one fraught with fear, recalling the sight of an individual brandishing what appeared to be a gun from a car in the parking area around lunch hour. Many fled in terror, leaving the scene with more questions than answers.
On the part of parents, the consensus is one of shared concern over the incident, though they generally believe in the safety of their children in the school environment.
A video given to relevant authorities allegedly showcases the individuals involved in the incidence, masked and situated within a vehicle. One individual, in particular, seems to brandish a handgun.
The Waterloo Region District School Board gave a statement, appreciating the efforts of the local police force in maintaining the safety standards of Huron Heights Secondary School. Although there wasn’t any presiding directive enforcing a hold-and-secure protocol, the school board expressed gratitude towards the police for their part in ensuring the continued safety of the schools.
