Third Sudbury area student charged in latest school threat

An undated photo of Greater Sudbury Police Service headquarters on Brady Street in the city's downtown. (File photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)

In the last six weeks, there have been five school threats investigated by police in the Sudbury area and now a third student has been charged.

"Based on the investigations thus far, there does not appear to be a connection between the incidents," Sudbury police spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in an email.

"In situations where one incident is reported, it is not uncommon to see additional incidents reported."

Messages written in school bathrooms have prompted concern and police response in most incidents.

"We thoroughly investigate each incident independently to determine the credibility of the threat," Dunn said.

The most recent threat at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School was reported on May 30 where a student has been charged with uttering threats and mischief.

"Based on prior involvement under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), the youth has been released on an undertaking with a court date of July 4," police said in an updated news release Monday.

"The identity of the youth is protected under the YCJA, therefore no further information related to the youth will be provided."

Dunn said of the three students who have been charged in connection with recent school threats, two have been referred to diversion programs.

A spokesperson for the Rainbow District School Board said safety is always the first priority.

"We remind students that any comments that may undermine the safety of the school, regardless of the context, will be taken seriously," Nicole Charette said in an emailed statement.

"Any individual who poses a potential threat to our school community will be held accountable in accordance with our code of conduct."