A 14-year-old student from Elgin County has been taken into custody for allegedly bringing a BB gun to a high school in St. Thomas, located south of London, Ont.
On Tuesday, the school’s administration contacted the St. Thomas Police Service (STPS), reporting that the suspect might have had a firearm. Officers discovered that the teen had brought the weapon to school that day expecting a confrontation with other students.
“It sounds really frightening for the other students and the staff at that school,” said John Bernans, a local representative with the Ontario Secondary School Teacher’s Federation (OSSTF). According to Bernans, about three-quarters of his union local’s members say they face more violence now than when they began their careers.
“Violence has gotten worse since the pandemic,” he noted.
The police in St. Thomas arrested the individual after executing a search warrant in Elgin County on Wednesday, assisted by the OPP Tactics & Rescue Unit, according to authorities. The firearm was located, confiscated, and confirmed to be a BB gun.
The teen faces charges including pointing a firearm, making threats, and failing to comply with a probation order. They were taken to police headquarters for processing and held until their morning court appearance.
Authorities have not disclosed which school the accused attended.
Since early 2024, St. Thomas Police have either charged or investigated at least 11 students for violent behavior at schools in the area.
Call for Return of Resource Officers in Schools
“Since 2021, reported calls for service to the STPS have increased by nearly 55 percent, with our officers visiting schools once every two days,” stated STPS Chief Marc Roskamp in an announcement.
“Violence in schools is clearly becoming a concerning trend, prompting teachers, parents, elected officials and police to push for change and reintroducing some form of School Resource Program (SRO).”
The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) suspended its SRO program back in 2021 and voted to keep officers out of schools as of January 2024.
“Members of marginalized communities have expressed feeling targeted and intimidated by the SRO program,” said Bernans. “I also know members who believe that police can help enhance safety in schools while addressing those communities’ concerns.”
Bernans suggested that rising violence may stem from various factors but emphasized that Ontario’s education system lacks adequate funding to address these issues effectively.
<p"There are fewer adults present in schools compared to before. This certainly puts everyone at risk as there are fewer adults available to support students and staff," Bernans added. "There is [also] an absence of educational workers needed for student support."
Recently, OSSTF initiated a campaign aimed at raising awareness regarding issues they feel contribute to violence and other challenges facing public education in Ontario.
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