White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville was placed on lockdown earlier today.
At 2:30pm, the Halton Police received reports of a male with a firearm at the South Campus of White Oaks Secondary School.
Nearby schools were placed in Hold and Secures.
At the time of the report, it was not known if the weapon was real or a replica.
After an extensive search, Police seized a replica handgun at White Oaks Secondary School.
A 16-year-old male was located on school property and was placed in custody.
The male is potentially facing weapons related charges.
The Lockdown at White Oaks Secondary School and the Hold and Secures at all other schools were lifted at 3:30pm.
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 as 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 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. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
