All local schools were in lockdown today following a threatening phonecall.
The call came in around 2 pm Thursday afternoon and Kent Elementary School was quickly put into lockdown.
“The RCMP immediately responded when we were called with all our resources,” says Cpl. Mike Rail, RCMP media spokesman. Members from Agassiz and Chilliwack detachments came as well as integrated police dog services and the emergency response team.
While the threatening phone call was directed towards Kent Elementary, all area schools were put in lockdown to follow safety protocols, says Rail, including Agassiz Elementary Secondary School, Agassiz Christian School and Harrison Hot Springs Elementary School.
RCMP could be seen shortly after 2 p.m searching beside the school, looking into windows at Kent, as well as throughout the school grounds. A three-member team searched the roof of the school.
“There was a thorough, thorough search of the entire area and nobody was located,” Rail explains.
Parents waited anxiously, blocked at the intersection of Vimy Road and McCullough Road while RCMP searched. Shortly after 3 p.m., RCMP told parents that the area was clear. Students who had been away on a field trip would be bussed back to the scene, followed by bus students being picked up then parents could pick up their children. Shortly after 3:30 p.m., all parents were allowed on-site to pick up their children, relief evident on their faces.
“Everyone is safe,” reports Rail. “All children were safe, there were no injuries.”
RCMP are investigating.
