Toronto resident charged after student allegedly confined, threatened in St. Thomas school washroom
31-year-old turned themselves in to police in southwestern Ontario city
A Toronto resident faces charges after allegedly entering a St. Thomas, Ont., high school with a group of people wearing masks and proceeding to confine and threaten a student.
St. Thomas police said Wednesday the 31-year-old turned themselves in, and faces charges of forcible confinement and uttering death threats after the alleged incident a week ago in the city south of London.
"Officers were called by school administration who wished to report that three unknown individuals, wearing masks, had entered the school with a student," police spokesperson Samantha Wakefield said in a statement. "It was reported that once inside, the group located and confined a student to a washroom."
Police said there had been an ongoing dispute between several teenagers at the school.
Other student altercations
There has been previous trouble between high school youth in St. Thomas. The same week, the masked individuals allegedly entered the school, and police reported arresting and charging a 14-year old boy for bringing a BB gun to class.
In that case, the youth was allegedly anticipating an altercation with fellow students, police said.
Police have not said whether the two incidents are related or if they occurred at the same school. The youth was charged with pointing a firearm, uttering threats and failing to comply with a probation order.
Since early 2024, St. Thomas police, said they have charged or investigated at least 11 students for violent behaviour at local schools.