Replica handgun seized after lockdown at Oakville school, teen in custody

Published June 1, 2022 at 12:26 pm

A replica handgun has been seized following a lockdown at a school in Oakville.

On May 31, 2022, at 2:30 p.m., the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) received reports of a male with a firearm at the South Campus of White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville.

Police say at the time of the report, it was not known if the weapon was real or a replica.

White Oaks Secondary School was placed on lockdown and nearby schools were placed in hold and secures.

After officers completed an extensive search of White Oaks Secondary School and the surrounding area, a 16-year-old male was located on school property and was placed in custody.

A replica handgun was seized by police and the male is potentially facing weapons-related charges.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., the lockdown at White Oaks Secondary School and the hold and secures at all other schools were lifted.

Police say there is no known, ongoing, related threat to public safety.

The investigation is still ongoing and members of the public should expect continued police presence in the area.

The Halton Regional Police Service would like to remind members of the public that replica firearms pose a significant threat to the community since they appear to be real to both members of the public and the police.

When reports of a potential firearm are received, officers must respond assuming they are real, which increases the risk to the person in possession of the replica firearm, the police and members of the public.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2216.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

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