Threats cancel classes at LCI and Churchill

By Lethbridge Herald on December 15, 2021.

Threats made to two local high schools on Tuesday prompted a police response which resulted in evacuations and closures for Winston Churchill High School and Lethbridge Collegiate Institute.
Just after 8 a.m. police responded to a report that a threat was received electronically by Winston Churchill High School. Lethbridge School Division directed that classes be cancelled and the school closed. The building was subsequently evacuated and students and staff who were on site were all determined to be safe.
Initially, the division had only stated that “information” had been received, but Lethbridge Police Service elaborated on this, indicating a “threat had been received by the school earlier this morning” but that the “veracity of the threat is unknown at this time.”
Then at around 11:55 a.m. police responded to a second report after threatening statements were located on school property at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. Lethbridge School Division cancelled classes and students were safely sent home.
The division had released information stating school administration and the division office were working with police regarding the threat.
“The investigation is ongoing to determine the veracity of the threats and whether there is any connection to an incident at Winston Churchill High School, where administrators received a threat early this morning,” the LPS stated in a release. “WCHS was evacuated and all students and staff who were on site are safe.”
In a statement to the public later in the day on Tuesday, Lethbridge Police determined there was no evidence to suggest an immediate risk to the two city high schools which reported receiving threats.
Police subsequently searched both schools but no evidence was located to suggest any risk to students or staff, and they do not believe the two incidents are connected.
Both investigations will remain ongoing to determine the identity of the person or persons responsible for the threats.
Lethbridge School Division said classes will resume as normal tomorrow at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, but did not indicate the status of WCHS.