Updated March 20 at 9:45 a.m.
Greater Sudbury Police say that through an investigation, they've determined that an 18-year-old man acted alone in a threat of violence against Collège Notre-Dame posted on Instagram.
“Through the investigation it has been determined that no other individuals were involved in this matter,” said a press release issued by Greater Sudbury Police Wednesday morning.
Police also said the images of the firearms used in the threat were stock photos from the internet.
Officers will be attending Collège Notre-Dame today (March 20) to speak with students and staff.
There will be an increased police presence at Collège Notre-Dame over the next couple of days and additional resources will be available for students, said police.
The suspect, who was charged yesterday with criminal harassment and uttering threats, is in bail court today.
Updated 7:10 p.m.
Around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, detectives from Greater Sudbury Police's Criminal Investigations Division and Intelligence Unit, with help from members of the Tactical Unit, arrested an 18-year old man from Greater Sudbury in relation to a threatening instagram post.
"This individual is believed to be responsible for the previously mentioned post, as well as, the additional post under the account 'cnd_is_sus' titled 'CND KILL LIST,' " police said in a news release. "The 18-year old man has been charged with Criminal Harassment and Uttering Threat under the Criminal Code of Canada. Criminal Investigators have applied for Judicial Search Warrants and the investigation into this incident is ongoing."
His name can't be released yet, police said, because the charges have not gone through the court process.
"He will be held in custody and he will attend bail court Wednesday," the release said. "We would like to thank everyone for their assistance and cooperation with this matter, including parents and students, as well as, staff at College Notre-Dame and Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario."
Original story:
Greater Sudbury Police are investigating an anonymous threat of a school shooting at College Notre-Dame, made on Instagram.
The post, which has now been deleted, said the attack would take place Friday. Another account, which is still active, puports to show a 'kill list,' detailing the students and grades allegedly to be targeted. The list includes about 40 names.
“Shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday, a staff member from College Notre-Dame attended police headquarters to report a threatening social media post directed at the school,” police said in a release.
“The Instagram post was uploaded under account 'sch00lsh00ter767,' pictured firearms and made reference to a school shooting at the local secondary school. The post was captioned 'Friday March 22nd, everyone will finally know my name… Look out CND.'”
Staff at Collège Notre Dame were not commenting on the matter, but according to Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario director of communications Paul de la Riva, all steps are being taken to ensure the saftey of staff and students.
"We did receive a message from the school that they have contacted the police about this matter," said de la Riva. "We are working closely with (police) to ensure the safety of everyone at the school."
Collège Notre Dame is not currently under a lockdown or hold and secure and de la Riva says the school day is proceeding as normally as possible, given the situation.
"We'll be offering the support required for the students if there's any social workers or extra help they may need later on," said de la Riva.
"This threat is being taken very seriously and the priority right now is to ensure the safety of students and staff. We were told police presence has been increased in and around the school and probably the neighbourhood, as well."
Sudbury Police's criminal investigations division is investigating the threat to find out who posted it and “the validity of the threat,” police said.
“We take these types of matters very seriously and the safety of staff and students is our top priority.”
There will be an increased police presence at College Notre-Dame and additional resources will be made available to students.
Anyone with information related to this post, the Instagram account sch00lsh00ter767, or the people behind the account are asked to call police at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers 705-222-8477.
