Lloydminster RCMP has confirmed there was no weapon involved in the Oct. 7 lockdown at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School, dispelling widespread social media rumours of a threat.
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Police originally responded to a 911 call at 11:07 a.m. after two students reported seeing what they believed to be a firearm in another student’s pocket.
Treating the situation as a potential active threat, the school was immediately placed into lockdown. With the assistance of school staff, responding officers located the youth suspect in a classroom and took them into custody within nine minutes of the call.
A subsequent police investigation, which included witness interviews, surveillance footage review and evidence searches, confirmed that no firearm or replica firearm was present and no weapon was involved.
Addressing Rumours and Social Media Fallout
In the hours following the incident, unverified rumours spread rapidly across social media, leading to more than 50 calls for service to the Lloydminster RCMP regarding reported online threats, including claims that students planned to attend the school with a firearm the following day.
After assessing each report, police determined all reported threats originated from unsubstantiated online gossip and that no legitimate threat existed.
To reassure the community, the Lloydminster RCMP explicitly confirmed:
No weapon: No firearm or replica firearm was located in the school.
No violence: No shots were fired, and no physical injuries occurred.
No ongoing threat: Police found no evidence of any legitimate follow-up threat to the school.
Police praise quick reporting while urging social media restraint
RCMP commended the students who initially raised the alarm, emphasizing that reporting a potential danger is always the right choice.
“Reporting something that is reasonably believed to pose a risk to others is the appropriate course of action,” said Staff Sgt. Bruce MacLean of the Lloydminster RCMP. “Police would rather investigate a concern and determine there is no threat than have a legitimate threat go unreported.”
However, officials urged the public to avoid spreading unverified claims on social media, noting that sharing rumours creates unnecessary fear, complicates police investigations and negatively impacts student well-being.
Anyone with information regarding a legitimate public safety concern is encouraged to contact the Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8300 or call 911 in an emergency.
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