The Saint John Police Force headquarters, located at One Peel Plaza. (Staff photo)
**Updated at 7:50 p.m. Friday**
The Saint John Police Force provided an update late Friday afternoon on the Simonds High School lockdown.
In a news release, police said they responded to an armed person call at around 11:16 a.m. Friday.
Police were told a student had a loaded gun in the school.
Officers immediately entered and began searching the building for the suspect.
During the search, a plain clothes officer conducting surveillance on the outside perimeter noticed the suspect running from the area.
A 15-year-old was arrested without incident around 12:07 p.m.
Police said found an imitation firearm in the area where the youth was taken into custody.
No one was injured in the incident.
The teen was charged with possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace.
The youth was released to their guardians with a court date on June 1.
Callers to our newsroom reported seeing several police vehicles at the school, located on Hickey Road.
In an email sent to families, the Anglophone South School District said the school went into lockdown at 11:30 a.m. Friday “due to information regarding a threat to the school.”
“Additional guidance counsellors will be onsite this afternoon for any students requiring additional supports,” said a second email sent to families.
New Brunswick Community College’s Grandview Avenue campus had gone into hold-and-secure status, but the college announced the all-clear around 12:30 p.m.
With files from Brad Perry and Tamara Steele.
Update: Armed Person – Simonds High Schoolhttps://t.co/vzRg2quDjT
— Saint John Police (@saintjohnpolice) April 8, 2022
⚠️ ***ALL CLEAR*** NBCC Saint John Main Campus Hold and Secure HAS ENDED! https://t.co/wMCK89BzhA
— New Brunswick Community College (@myNBCC) April 8, 2022
