Police believe ‘swatting’ to blame for Brampton school lockdown
Posted May 26, 2015 9:38 am.
Last Updated May 26, 2015 6:32 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Peel police believe a fake call is to blame for the lockdown of one Brampton school and hold and secures issued at four others schools in Peel region.
A massive police presence surrounded Gordon Graydon Sr. Public School in Brampton around 9 a.m. after authorities received a call threatening individuals inside.
“The individual (said they) had a weapon and was going to come to the school and harm individuals,” Const. Lilly Fitzpatrick explained.
As a precaution, Madoc Drive Public School, Harold F. Loughin Public School and Mississauga’s Allan A. Martin Public School were all placed under a hold and secure while police investigated. As well, Father C.W. Sullivan School was placed under a hold and secure, the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board says.
Tactical and canine units were brought in and conducted a thorough search Gordon Graydon Sr. Public School but Fitzpatrick said nothing suspicious was located and no suspicious persons were inside.
Shortly after police arrived, Fitzpatrick said authorities got the feeling that this was an incident of ‘swatting’ — where an individual makes a false call to police.
“These calls are designed to generate the most massive EMS response possible and we believe that is what the case is here,” she said. “Even if we think that it’s a false call we cannot take the chance that we may have made a mistake … Every single one of these calls is treated as if it’s a serious threat against somebody’s well being.”
Shortly after the lockdown police tweeted that there was no cause for concern at this time.
There has been no word on if police will release the threatening phone call to help identify the caller.
“We will identify the person who did this. It’s a serious criminal offence,” said Fitzpatrick. “It creates a very dangerous situation and it costs us money.”
Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact 22 Division.
The lockdown on Gordon Graydon Sr. Public School has since been lifted. As well all hold and secures on the other schools have been lifted.
