Strathmore RCMP respond to two incidents that affect local schools

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore RCMP responded to two matters concerning local schools on May 23 and May 28, respectively, each ultimately being resolved safely. 

On May 23, police received a report of an individual who was seen around and entering Strathmore High School with what appeared to be a gun. Members immediately responded to secure the scene and to investigate the report. 

Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz explained a lockdown procedure of the school was initiated in order to secure the safety of all students.

“We treat all firearms complaints seriously and with the utmost urgency to ensure that we are able to quickly and safely determine what is going on, to identify any offender that might be present, and to bring the situation to a safe conclusion,” he said. “As the investigation progressed, our members were able to identify the individual who was spotted and quickly determined that the ‘weapon’ that was in the student’s possession was a water pistol. It was part of the ‘Senior Assassin’ game that had been ongoing in the school for the end of the school year.”

Weilgosz explained Senior Assassin is a common game which has been gaining popularity across schools throughout the country.

The game involves students assigning each other targets to eliminate from the game with water guns. Rules tend to vary between schools, however the general premise is to be the last student standing.

The lockdown at Strathmore High School was brief, parents and students were notified, and the student who the complained was regarding was briefly taken into custody before being released after the situation had been identified. No charges were laid against the student.

Similar to in Strathmore, the game has led to similar lockdown incidents country wide. Police are making efforts to encourage students who are participating in the game to choose water guns which, as much as possible, do not resemble legitimate firearms.

“Just be mindful of what these activities might look like to others. Ensure that you are not in possession of items that could be mistaken as real weapons, and of course to do it safely – being in crosswalks and traffic and moving vehicles is to be discouraged,” said Wielgosz. “We do not want it to get in the way of people having fun. It certainly seems to be a fun type of game to participate in, we just want people to do it safely.”

On May 28, Wielgosz clarified there was no lockdown procedure that was requested. The incident was a hold and secure.

He explained RCMP received a report that an individual had approached a care worker at a youth facility in an aggressive manner and displayed what appeared to be a firearm during the encounter. 

The hold and secure was inadvertently expanded to all of the schools in Strathmore, which he added should not have been the case. 

Members responded immediately to the incident and conducted a search of the area resulting in the location of the individual in question who was then taken into custody.

A search of the subject revealed they were in possession of a pellet gun, which could easy be mistaken for a legitimate firearm. 

The pellet gun was seized by police, the suspect was transported to the detachment, and two charges were laid. These included one count of mischief, and one count of pointing a firearm.

The subject remains in police custody, and they will make a court appearance at a later time to deal with the matter of bail.