Some Brandon schools briefly under partial lockdown after threat at Neelin High School | CBC News
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Some schools in Brandon, Man., were briefly under partial lockdown Monday because of a weapon threat at the same high school where a student was attacked with a sword nearly a year ago.
Officers were called to Neelin High School about the weapon threat at around 12:50 p.m., Brandon police said in a social media post, and detained a suspect about half an hour later.
Neelin and five neighbouring K-8 schools were placed in a hold and secure, meaning outside doors were locked, as a precaution while the response was underway, the Brandon School Division said.
The hold and secure was lifted by 1:19 p.m., when it was determined there was no ongoing threat, police said.
Superintendent Mathew Gustafson said the incident happened after students at Neelin alerted staff one of their fellow students made “concerning statements” about weapons.
“The main piece in terms of keeping our schools safe is ensuring that students … bring information forward, even if it’s not confirmed or if it’s just things that they see or hear,” Gustafson said.
“It’s about that communication that becomes critical.”
The incident happened nearly a year after a 15-year-old was assaulted with a sword by another student at the high school. Brandon police said the alleged attacker, who is awaiting trial, was targeting people of colour and immigrants.
“Obviously, the incident at Neelin High School still resonates in the community,” Gustafson said, though he added the division’s response to Monday’s incident was the same as with any potential threat.
The division always acts out of “an abundance of caution,” and hold and secure measures have already been used for a wide variety of reasons this school year, he said.
Safety is “not something that you ever stop working on,” said Gustafson, adding that the division is always looking at how to improve measures keeping schools safe.
The social media post from Brandon police said the suspect was apprehended at a home several blocks away from the school without incident, but did not mention any charges.
In an email, police said the incident remains under investigation and no further details can be released at this time.