NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have charged a 15-year-old boy after he was observed in a high school classroom discharging a pellet gun.
On Wednesday, May 29, 2019, at 10:44 a.m., York Regional Police were called to Emily Carr Secondary School which is located at 4901 Rutherford Road for a report of a student in the school in possession of a handgun. When officers arrived they located the suspect standing with a group of friends in front of the library.
The suspect was placed under arrest, but a gun was not located.
Further investigation revealed that the suspect had been in possession of what is believed to be a pellet gun within the school. He had shown the gun to several students and had discharged the pellet gun within a classroom, striking two students.
The students who had been struck by pellets were not injured.
Police including officers with the Canine Unit searched the school as well as properties outside of the school but were unable to locate the pellet gun.
Charged:
- 15-year-old male youth, City of Vaughan
Charges:
- Assault with a weapon x2
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Obstruct peace officer
The investigation is ongoing.
York Regional Police reminds the public when police respond to any call involving a weapon, the weapon will be treated as real until an investigation can determine otherwise.
While an air gun is not classified as a firearm, if it is used in the commission of an offence it is then classified as a firearm and suspects may be charged with applicable offences under the Criminal Code.
If you damage property, or injure a person or animal by discharging an air gun you could be subject to Criminal Code charges and civil liability. Anyone with information is asked to contact the #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876- 5423, ext. 7441, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com
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