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UPDATE: Comment taken out of context led to rumours of shooting threat at Belmont

Sooke School District has identified source, given all-clear for students to be in class
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Belmont Secondary School. (Black Press Media file photo)

The Sooke School District has confirmed it is safe for students to attend Belmont Secondary School today after rumours of a threat to the school were circulated on social media Monday night.

In an email sent to families before class Tuesday morning, principal Jim Lamond confirmed classes would continue as usual.

“The RCMP and district are aware and we are working collaboratively to ensure school continues to be safe,” Lamond said. “At this point, we have identified the source and will be meeting with them and the family this morning.”

West Shore RCMP investigated the social media messages that advised students not to go into school on Dec 8. The detachment said further messages circulating among students’ social media accounts alleged the possibility of a shooting.

RCMP later found there was no threat to the school and said the student who made the original comment was identified.

“The comment itself was made by one student to another and was not intended as a threat,” said Const. Nancy Saggar, West Shore RCMP media relations officer. “Further distribution of the comment amongst students and social media greatly distorted the context of the original comment.”

The detachment encouraged the public to report any messages of that nature to police immediately.

READ ALSO: Belmont Secondary grads celebrate the end of high school


 

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