Nouvelle-Alliance high school was placed in a hold-and-secure today after a firearm was found inside the school, leading to a heavy police presence as officers searched the area.
The school, located on Anne Street North near Cundles Road, had up to eight police vehicles on site during the noon hour, as some parents waited outside for their children to let them know they were safe and sign them out.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday are still investigating.
“We currently have officers on scene and in the area," Leon said. "The situation is very fluid and ongoing and we will have information available as soon as we can."
Leon confirmed it was a real firearm and not a replica. The firearm has been seized.
Nobody has been placed in custody as police continued to search for the student suspect, who is believed to have left the school site.
One mother, who did not want to be identified, showed BarrieToday a message she received from the school about the situation.
It read:
‘Dear parents, guardians of the Nouvelle-Alliance Catholic Secondary School,
We wish to inform you that a security confinement is in progress following the discovery of a firearm in the music room.
There is no imminent threat. Students and staff are safe inside the school, but no one can enter or leave the building.
The individual who brought the weapon into the school left the premises.
The police are on site and the staff co-operate fully with the authorities.’
The hold-and-secure was ongoing as police searched the premises.
BarrieToday will have more details when they become available.
