By Sarah Stone

Northern school put on lockdown

Sep 30, 2014 | 3:37 PM

An elementary school in northern Saskatchewan was on lockdown after a 13-year-old boy allegedly pointed an air pistol at a five-year-old boy.

This happened on Monday just after noon outside of the Bell’s Point Elementary School in Air Ronge.

As soon as staff was made aware, students were hurried inside and the school was put on lockdown said Director of Education for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band Gerry Guillet.

“A student from the high school came onto the elementary school grounds with what appeared to be a hand gun,” he said, adding it turned out to be an air pistol.

RCMP was contacted immediately and was already in the area conducting school zone enforcement.

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Staff pointed out the youth suspect, but the RCMP said when members came he was a distance away from the school. He was arrested without incident.

RCMP said members searched the area where the youth said he dropped the weapon. It was found and seized by RCMP by 12:30 p.m.

Once the weapon was found the school was taken out of lockdown and parents were notified.

“There was some concern, however school continued under normal conditions,” Guillet said.

Guillet said he thinks the two boys know each other, but is unsure of their relationship at this time.

Incidents like this have happened in Guillet’s career in education, but this is the first it’s happened at Bell’s Point Elementary School since he’s been the director of education. He said it’s always a “very grave concern,” which is why he went to the school to make sure everybody was OK.

The schools will be reviewing protocols and strategies to try an ensure incidents like this don’t happen, he said.  They will also be meeting with parents to address their concerns.

Students have been taught what to do when incidents like this happen, he said, but they’ll be going over it again. Teachers are also available to students who witnessed the teen point the gun at the five-year-old.

“They greatest thing about it is that nobody was hurt.”

The teen is charged with pointing a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon.

He was released to his parents and is expected to appear in court in La Ronge Nov. 17.

His name will not be released due to his age.

sstone@panow.com

On Twitter: @sarahstone84