On April 11th, 2008, members of the New Westminster Police Major Crime Section, assisted by the Special Projects Team located and arrested a subject of interest in the lockdown of the New Westminster Secondary School on April 10th, 2008.

The lockdown and evacuation stemmed from a dispute between a student of the school and the male arrested. This dispute occurred at the School on April 9th and there was unconfirmed information that at the time the non-student was in possession of a handgun and may have threatened the student. A thorough investigation into this matter has been unable to substantiate the presence of a firearm at the school at the time. Police did forward a Report to Crown Counsel on this matter recommending a charge of Uttering Threats against the male arrested. After reviewing this information, Crown determined there was insufficient evidence to support this charge. It should be noted that at the time of this male’s arrest, he was in a social setting at the Metrotown Mall in the company of a number of individuals including the student who he had allegedly threatened.

The 14 year old male arrested was released from Police custody with an order under Section 177 of the School Act forbidding him from attending at any school property in the City of New Westminster. Should this male be found in breach of this directive he may be arrested.

The male was transported to the Ministry for Children and Families and turned over to their custody.