On Friday, September 22, 2023, the RCMP School Liaison Officer (SLO) at Portage Collegiate Institute learned that two students at the school were known to have weapons and were threatening other students. The officer was not able to locate those students.
On Monday, September 25, 2023, the two students were spotted by the SLO in the back alley near the school. The teens bolted from the area on foot but were soon captured by officers. The search of the 14-year-old male uncovered two machetes and two pocket knives on his person. The 15-year-old male had two machetes and a loaded BB gun.
Police charged both youths with Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose, Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Obstruct Peace Officer, and Resist Peace Officer. The 15-year-old was also charged with Using Imitation Firearms in Commission of an Offence. They were both released on conditions, including to not be in the area of the high school.
Several hours later the SLO returned to the school for the report of a large group of students who may be involved in a fight off the school campus. As the SLO got to the school they helped in preventing a fight from taking place near the facility. A 16-year-old male student involved in the incident was taken home by police and told not to return to the area.
Forty-five minutes later officers on patrol in the area spotted a large group of youth walking on the street. An individual believed to have weapons was running up to the group but officers intercepted the 14-year-old male. A search uncovered an airsoft revolver and a can of bear spray on his person. The youth was charged with Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose x 2, Carry Concealed Weapon, and Using Imitation Firearms in Commission of an Offence.
Police also spotted the 16-year-old male they had taken home earlier in the day with the large group of youths. He was arrested and charged for Breach of Peace.
