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MEDIA RELEASE -- CHARGES LAID AGAINST 14-YEAR-OLD BRIDGEWATER MALE
>>> Joint media release Bridgewater Police Service / Grenville Detachment of the OPP

The Grenville Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has arrested a teenager in connection with multiple threats of violence against a local school.

The anonymous telephone threats, to commit violent acts at St. Michael Catholic High School, began September 12, 2024. Threats continued against St. Michael School until October 17, 2024.

An extensive investigation by members of the Grenville OPP Crime Unit, assisted by the OPP Cyber Investigations Team, OPP Regional Support Team, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Bridgewater Police Service, led to the execution of a search warrant at a home and a school in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, on Friday, October 25, 2024. One person was arrested and investigators seized electronic devices.

Stemming from the execution of the search warrant, a 14-year-old male from Bridgewater has been charged with:

• Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm
• Indecent communications
• Mischief (interfering with lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property over $5,000)
• Public mischief
• Unauthorized use of computer – destruction of data

The identity of the individual is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Anyone who shares the name publicly could be subject to criminal charges.

The accused remains in custody following a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear by video before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville, Ontario, on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

Public safety is paramount in any threat investigation and such incidents must be treated as serious and legitimate until proven otherwise.

While charges have been laid, the investigation is continuing and involves multiple policing jurisdictions, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigations in the United States. The OPP also continues to look into potential connections to any similar incidents, including a threat against a school in Iroquois.

Bridgewater Police Service Criminal Investigative Division (CID) and patrol officers have been working closely with their counterparts in the Ontario Provincial Police since learning the suspect in this matter resided in our community.

BPS investigators believe that there may also be connections to other similar incidents, however it is not currently believed there are ties to incidents within our community. BPS and OPP investigators will continue to work together until potential connections are fully explored.

If you have any information on these incidents, contact the Grenville Detachment at 1-888-310-1122. If you want to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.