Youth in custody following incident near schools

An incident involving threatening messages put Prince Edward Collegiate and nearby Queen Elizabeth Public School in ‘Hold and Secure mode’ Friday.

Just before 11 am officers of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Prince Edward detachment were notified of an ongoing incident at PECI. School officials were made aware of some threatening messages directed toward a student at the school, and although the suspect was not on the premises, the safety measures were enacted at both schools.

Initial information revealed the threats were sent by a male who is not a student, but is known to the recipient of the threats, and this information was relayed to police.

PEC OPP Const. Kim Guthrie reports that within a short time, officers using social media and other investigative techniques, were able to locate the suspect in the town of Picton.

A 16 year old male from Trenton was arrested and is currently in custody at the Prince Edward detachment of the OPP.

The accused has been charged with two criminal offences and remains in custody to attend a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice Belleville on Monday, May 14, 2018 to answer to charges of Uttering Threats to Cause Death or Bodily Harm and Harassing Communications.