Brampton school locked down after possible 'swatting' call
One Brampton school was in lockdown and three others were in hold-and-secure after what police believe was a hoax call.
Peel police Const. Lillian Fitzpatrick said an anonymous caller told them around 8 a.m. that they were going to go to a local school with a weapon. Police did not reveal any further details about the threat or the caller.
Gordon Graydon Senior Public School was placed under lockdown, while Harold F. Loughlin and Madoc Drive Public Schools and Allan A. Martin Senior Public School in Mississauga were in hold-and-secure as police searched the area for any potential threats.
Buses arriving to the schools after the call was placed were diverted to a nearby mall.
Fitzpatrick said police believe the call was an instance of a hoax known as "swatting," when anonymous callers report fake violent crimes or threats of violent crimes to prompt a large police response.
On Sunday, a Richmond Hill family was said to be a victim to swatting. A full York police Emergency Task Force (ETF) team swept through their home just before 6 a.m. after a caller said a man in the home had shot his family with an assault rifle.
Fitzpatrick said Peel police intend to investigate the identity of the caller and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law, which could includes fines, a jail term or reimbursement for the money spent on the emergency response.
