A 16-year-old boy has been charged after Halifax police say they thwarted a “credible” threat to bring a number of firearms to a high school in the city’s core.
In a news conference Thursday, Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean said police received information of the threat against Citadel High School and immediately acted upon it, arresting the boy without incident around 3 a.m. AT Wednesday at his home in Halifax.
MacLean said “a number” of weapons were seized from the home, including firearms, as well as ammunition. He would not say exactly how many weapons were seized.
“I know this is alarming, and I’m here today to provide reassurance that our officers have been working around the clock to ensure students can go to school feeling safe,” said MacLean.
“While it is natural to react to these types of events with fear, I do urge people to also react with compassion. Youth who consider violence as their last resort have been facing their own struggles and can be difficult to understand.”
The teen is facing charges of possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a prohibited weapon without a licence, two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and uttering threats.
Halifax police Chief Don MacLean on Citadel High arrest
The boy, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was scheduled to appear in youth justice court Thursday.
MacLean would not say how police received information of the threat, but said it was “credible.” He said investigators believe the threat was against the school in general and not against any one person.
“Clearly, they are very serious threats,” said MacLean.
“I don’t want to speculate on what could have happened, but bringing weapons to any school is never a good idea…. Any weapon brought into a school creates a capacity to harm folks.”
Police said in a news release they would have a presence at Citadel High School on Thursday to support students and staff.
While the investigation is “ongoing and complex,” police said investigators do not believe there is a current threat to the school and do not believe anyone else is involved in the incident.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Halifax Regional Centre for Education (HRCE) said police contacted Citadel High School administrators on Wednesday with information about a potential threat directed at the school.
“As always, the safety of students and staff is HRCE’s top priority,” wrote Lindsey Bunin. “All potential threats are taken seriously.”
Bunin said school counsellors are available to students who wish to connect at any time.
Luca Thompson, a Grade 11 student at the high school, said news of the threat did make him feel “a little unsafe,” but he was encouraged by the police’s quick action.
“It’s scary that people have access to weapons,” he said. “But I think that shows that we need more support and to let students know that they have support.”
Citadel High School is located on Trollope Street in the heart of the city. In 2023, it had a student population of 1,530.
