Reported firearm at B.C. high school was actually a stick: RCMP
An RCMP cruiser is pictured on Vancouver Island in June 2022 in this file photo. (CTV News)
A firearms report that triggered a large police presence at a high school on Vancouver Island Thursday turned out to be a prop students were using for a project, according to authorities.
The North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP says it received a report of a man pointing a firearm in Kin Park, next to Quw’utsun Secondary School, around 9:15 a.m.
As a result, the school was put on hold and secure, and officers contained the park and swept the school.
It’s standard practice for police to treat firearms reports or bomb threats as real until proven otherwise. But thankfully in this case, Mounties say there was a much more innocent explanation.
“Students from the high school later came forward, admitting that they were filming a project at school and while using a wooden stick, they mimicked the act of shooting,” the RCMP wrote in a news release, and reiterated there were no firearms involved in the incident.
Mounties thanked the students for coming forward to clarify the situation.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Thousands of structures destroyed in L.A. County's most destructive fire
A series of wildfires tore through densely populated parts of the Los Angeles, Calif. area. Five people have been reported dead. U.S. Gov. Gavin Newsom said thousands of resources have been deployed to contain the fires.
Is the Hollywood sign on fire?
As fires scorch Los Angeles, fake images and videos of a burning Hollywood sign have circulated on social media.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Trump's bid to delay sentencing in his New York hush money case
A sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected president-elect Donald Trump's final bid to put his New York hush-money case on hold, clearing the way for him to be sentenced for felony crimes days before he returns to the presidency.
Ex-Trump adviser says Canada in 'difficult position' amid tariff threat, Trudeau resignation
In the face of a potential tariff war, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton says 'Canada is in a difficult position' in part due to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation and a looming general election.
PM Trudeau says he thinks Trump is using talk of Canada becoming 51st state to distract from tariff impact
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he thinks U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is drumming up drama on Canadian statehood to detract from tariff talks.
Canadian travellers now require an ETA to enter U.K. Here's what to know
Starting Jan. 8, Canadians visiting the U.K. for short trips will need to secure an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before boarding their flight, according to regulations set out by the U.K. government.
'True when I said it, true today': former Canadian PM Harper pushes back against Trump on social media
Former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t find U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state very amusing.
Poilievre says the next Canadian election will be about the carbon price
Pierre Poilievre returned to Ottawa on Thursday after the holidays with a familiar demand for Justin Trudeau: call a carbon-tax election.
More than 150 students sick at University of Guelph, says public health
More than 150 cases of gastroenteritis have been reported at the University of Guelph.
Vancouver Island
-
'They don't realize it's not marriage. It's slavery': What a B.C. man is doing to free Cambodians trapped by traffickers
Brian McConaghy began his work in Cambodia decades ago, helping the RCMP on investigations to jail to sex predators from B.C. abusing children overseas. Later, his organization, supported by Canadians, built a secure centre in Phnom Penh, where they protect and support those who have been trafficked internationally.
-
'It's pretty wild out there': Canadian living in L.A. describes life near wildfires
The constant smell of smoke is a reminder all over Los Angeles, even in neighbourhoods far from the flames, that the fight against wildfires isn’t over.
-
Calls to improve B.C. building codes as fires rage in California
As fires continue raging in California, there are calls here in B.C. to improve building codes to make structures more resistant to wildfire.
Kelowna
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
-
Charges laid after child porn investigation that 'spanned several different countries,' Kelowna RCMP say
Police in Kelowna say an international investigation has led to child pornography charges against a 46-year-old man.
Edmonton
-
'Elaborate' solar-powered encampment found in Fulton Creek
Edmonton police have dismantled two large encampments in the Fulton Creek area, including one with electricity.
-
Penguins run up score early in win over visiting Oilers
Sidney Crosby had a goal and two assists to move into ninth on the NHL's career scoring list as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers 5-3 on Thursday night.
-
Five hurt in Red Deer industrial fire
Five people are in hospital following an explosion Thursday at a Red Deer industrial site.
Calgary
-
Southeast Calgary business owner charged with sexual assault of young girl in shop
A 63-year-old man has been charged with the sexual assault of a young girl in a southeast Calgary tailor shop.
-
The Confluence undergoes major renovation, exhibits now removed
The Confluence is undergoing a major renovation, the first phase of which began in November.
-
World Cup returns to Calgary's Olympic Oval as push continues for facility upgrades
About 200 of the world's best speed skaters will again hit the ice at Calgary's Olympic Oval in two weeks...
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge police seek help locating suspect in Wednesday night robbery
Lethbridge police are seeking public assistance to locate a suspect in releation to a robbery.
-
Southern Alberta woman sentenced to house arrest, curfew for fatal collision
A southern Alberta woman has been sentenced for a fatal collision that claimed the life of a 26-year-old Okotoks man in 2023.
-
2 people charged after multiple break-and-enters of Nanton businesses
A Nanton resident and a Claresholm resident have been charged in relation to multiple break-and-enters that took place in southeast Nanton.
Winnipeg
-
Another big tax hike is potentially coming for Brandon residents
Brandon homeowners are facing the possibility of a double-digit tax increase in 2025.
-
Winnipeg man charged with sexually assaulting children at daycare: police
Police have charged a man with sexually assaulting two children at an unlicensed daycare in Winnipeg.
-
'A policing trailblazer': Tributes pour in for MFNPS chief believed to have died in house fire
The remains of Manitoba First Nations Police Service’s (MFNPS) leader are believed to have been found following a fire at his home.
Regina
-
Above average home sales on 18-month streak in Sask.
According to the Saskatchewan Realtors Association, 2024 was the second-best year on record in terms of home sales in the province.
-
Regina man previously wanted on Canada's Most Wanted list makes first court appearance
Twenty-two-year-old Reshuan Norman Cote stood in the prisoner’s box as he made his very first court appearance for his involvement in a homicide last year.
-
Sask. taxidermy business fined more than $7,000, 144 'wildlife exhibits' seized
What began as a "straightforward" inspection of a Saskatchewan taxidermy business quickly became a complex investigation – ultimately leading to more than $7,000 in fines.
Saskatoon
-
'It feels good': First 28 students from University of Saskatchewan's nursing fast-track program graduate
The first students of a fast-track nursing program at the University of Saskatchewan have graduated. The program aims to address the province's healthcare staffing shortage.
-
Saskatoon restauranteur George Kosmas looks back on a life spent in The Cave
For nearly his entire life, George Kosmas can remember spending days and nights at The Cave.
-
'They are hopeless': Saskatoon family desperate to bring sisters to Canada
Two Saskatoon women are desperately trying to get their loved ones out of Afghanistan, as the Taliban continues to oppress women.
Toronto
-
‘Mama is waiting for you’: Woman appeals for return of 3-year-old son after ex-husband failed to bring him back to Canada
The mother of a three-year-old Toronto boy is urging her former husband who is wanted in a parental abduction investigation to bring their son back to Canada from India.
-
'Not going to happen': Markham jewelry store owner fights off robbers with broomstick
When three masked individuals entered Jewellery Forever and started smashing a display case, Jerry Sorani knew he had to defend the store he has owned for the last 16 years. So, he grabbed a nearby broomstick.
-
Toronto cop injured, 3 arrested after collision involving police cruiser in North York
Three people have been arrested after a vehicle suspected to have been used in a robbery collided with a police cruiser in North York, injuring one officer Thursday night.
Montreal
-
Liberal leadership contender Frank Baylis is a Montrealer who says he will stand up to Trump
Meet the Montrealer who wants to replace Justin Trudeau as the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
-
Côte Saint-Luc tenants currently living without adequate heating and hot water
Residents of an apartment building in Côte Saint-Luc say they are currently living without adequate heating and hot water in the midst of winter.
-
Quebec’s year-long surgery waitlist drops to pandemic-era low, but challenges remain
The number of Quebec patients waiting more than one year for surgery has dropped to 8,824 – the lowest number since the early days of the pandemic – according to the province’s ministry of health.
Ottawa
-
'It's really horrific': Former Ottawa residents in LA evacuated due to fires
Feeling the power of the Santa Ana winds and seeing the massive plumes of smoke off her deck in Topanga Canyon earlier this week, Catherine McClenahan knew it was time to go.
-
Crash involving transport trucks on Highway 401 led to congestion, two more collisions
One person was taken to hospital after their vehicle went into the ditch following congestion caused by an earlier collision involving two transport trucks Thursday afternoon on Highway 401 in eastern Ontario, according to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
-
Crash involving bicycle in Centretown seriously injures man
The Ottawa Paramedic Service says an adult male was taken to hospital following a collision between a vehicle and a bicycle Thursday afternoon in Centretown.
Atlantic
-
Suspicious death of woman in Bible Hill ruled a homicide: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP is treating the suspicious death of a woman in Bible Hill, N.S., last week as a homicide.
-
5th woman killed by intimate partner violence in N.S. in 3 months
The RCMP in Nova Scotia says two suspicious deaths in Mahone Bay, N.S., over the weekend were the result of intimate partner violence.
-
Maritimers flee L.A. homes as fires continue to rage
Several Maritimers have fled their homes in Los Angeles amid the historic fires.
London
-
'My mother attacked me': A London manslaughter trial hears a 911 call from the accused
Testimony at the manslaughter trial of Barbara Cabala, 42, got underway in London Thursday.
-
Londoner charged following head-on collision
One person has been charged by Elgin County OPP after a collision occurred Wednesday morning.
-
Woman suspected in north end assault: LPS
On Sunday, Dec. 22, at roughly 8:20 p.m., a woman leaving a business in the area of Fanshawe Park Road East and North Centre Road was assaulted by an unknown woman.
Kitchener
-
More than 150 students sick at University of Guelph, says public health
More than 150 cases of gastroenteritis have been reported at the University of Guelph.
-
Ontario family describes 'horrific' experience after being stuck in limbo due to delayed WestJet flight
A family trip to Costa Rica quickly turned into a nightmare for an Ontario family, after their WestJet flight to Canada was delayed.
-
Limited shelter space available for men in Waterloo Region
The deep freeze has created a problem for anyone seeking shelter space in Waterloo Region.
Northern Ontario
-
Alta. man charged and released twice in one night for violence at northern Ont. hotel
Last weekend, an Alberta man was arrested and released for intimate partner violence at a northern Ontario hotel just hours after being charged and released for assaulting a teen with a weapon at the same location.
-
Former Sudbury, Ont., police officer found guilty of 2007 sexual assault
Wayne Foster, a former police officer with the Greater Sudbury Police Service, has been found guilty of sexual assault in connection with an incident Aug. 24, 2007.
-
Superbug outbreak declared at Sault Area Hospital
An outbreak has been declared in a medical unit at the Sault Area Hospital due to a superbug.
N.L.
-
Quebec energy deal touted as new chapter for Newfoundland and Labrador heads for vote
A draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for indebted Newfoundland and Labrador is heading for a vote Thursday night at the legislature in St. John's, N.L.
-
Adviser says Quebec-N.L. energy deal is 'very good,' as Opposition vows not to vote
Newfoundland and Labrador's Opposition Progressive Conservatives vowed Wednesday that they will not vote on a draft energy deal with Quebec's hydro utility until it is scrutinized by independent experts.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador energy deal with Quebec under scrutiny as debate opens
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are digging into the details of the province's draft energy deal with Quebec as four days of debate begin today in St. John's, N.L.
