Warrant issued for December school threats

Limestone Learning Foundation
Warrant issued for December school threats
Posted on 01/31/2019
Image of a Kingston Police cruiser.Kingston Police have issued a warrant for a United Kingdom youth believe to be responsible for instigating a series of threats in December 2018 against schools in the Limestone District School Board and the Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.

Police issued a media release and held a press conference January 31 to update the public on the threats which involved telephone threats and threats via social media against seven Kingston area schools.

Police worked in cooperation with police agencies in both the United Kingdom and United States. Although the investigation is ongoing, Kingston Police have issued a warrant for a youth (under age 18) who resides in the United Kingdom. Police confirmed that the youth has no relationship to anyone in Kingston.

The youth, should he ever travel to Canada, would be arrested for seven counts of public mischief, and seven counts of uttering threats. There are no plans in place to extradite the youth. As in Canada, the youth cannot be named under United Kingdom law.

These threats, which were directed at secondary schools December 5 and 6, resulted in secondary schools and nearby elementary schools being placed into lockdown and/or hold and secure emergency protocols.

Police attended each of the schools involved and conducted thorough searches as per their protocols. No actual threat was found at any school, however, the threats did cause a significant impact on school operations and police resources. Kingston Police estimate the cost of responding to the threats, and the ensuing investigation, cost more than $22,000.

Officials from both school boards praised Kingston Police for their prompt response to the December incidents and their diligence in the ongoing investigation. 

“Nobody wants to initiate a lockdown or hold and secure procedure, but our schools and our police partners are well prepared for such events,” says Limestone Associate Superintendent of Safe & caring Schools Scot Gillam. “These kinds of incidents are stressful for students, staff and families and thankfully, they are rare. We will continue to work with police and school board partners to ensure the ongoing safety and security of our schools and community.”

Gillam says Limestone will continue to debrief the incidents and make improvements as required. “Every situation is an opportunity to review our protocols and determine what went well and what might be improved upon.”

For more information, please contact:
Karen Smith, Communications Officer
613-544-6925 x 314 | 613-328-0947 mobile
Jane Douglas, Communications officer
Communications Officer
613-544-6925 x 311 | 613-328-0916 mobile


The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.