Holy Cross Secondary School placed on ‘lockdown’ following weapons offence

Students at Holy Cross Secondary School in Kingston’s west end had their day disrupted when the school was placed on ‘lockdown’ following an incident involving a weapon.

The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, when, according to Kingston Police, a staff member at the school called 9-1-1 regarding a male teenager outside the school who was possibly in possession of a firearm. He was not recognized as being a student at the school, according to police, and “a lockdown was initiated by the school for the safety of students and staff.”

The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board (ALCDSB) later confirmed this, stating the lockdown was quickly followed by moving into a ‘hold and secure.’

“Both procedures were activated as part of our Caring and Safe Schools Policy and Procedure. A Hold and Secure response is activated when there is a threat to school safety in the area, but no immediate danger within the school building,” explained Jack Seymour, Communications Officer with ALCDSB.

Police said the youth ran from school staff, who relayed that information to Kingston Police dispatch, who in turned relayed the information to attending officers. The male was located a short distance north from the school, off of Katharine Crescent, and safely brought into custody at 1:05 p.m. Upon searching the youth, police discovered a pellet gun in his possession. The lockdown at the school was lifted shortly afterward.

There was no discharge of any weapon during the incident, according to Kingston Police.

As a result of the incident, a 17-year-old male from Ottawa remains in custody at this time. The accused youth, who has former ties to Kingston and family in the city, is anticipated to attend a bail hearing on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021 for a charge of ‘Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose’ and possibly other offences, as police continue to investigate and speak to all involved parties.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kingston Police at 613-549-4660 and refer to occurrence number 21-47266.

For their part, the ALCDSB expressed gratitude to the attending and investigating officers involved.

“The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District Schoolboard is extremely grateful to Kingston Police for their timely, safe, and professional response,” Seymour said.