Teens arrested in Montreal, Châteauguay in connection with online threats made to high schools

Montreal and Châteauguay police have arrested a total of eleven teenagers linked to online threats targeting high schools.

Montreal police have arrested six teens age 13 to 17 linked to the threats, which were made against eight schools, though the police would not disclose which ones.

Châteauguay police arrested an additional five teenagers, for threats made against staff members of the École Louis-Philippe-Paré high school.

"It's a ripple effect," said Manuel Couture, a spokesperson for the Montreal police. "Kids are young, and they think no one will catch them if they make a fake Facebook profile, but we can find them.… Even if you think you're being anonymous, you always leave a trace." 

Increased police presence at some schools

The SPVM increased police presence at certain schools.

"We have to remind everybody that it is a serious crime, scaring everybody, parents, students and persons working at the school," he said. "We're taking those threats very seriously." 

Couture says tracing, and identifying the suspects leading up to the arrests over the past couple of days was a "colossal" task for the cybercrime unit.

"We totally understand that people would feel unsafe with these kinds of threats," said Couture. He encourages parents to talk to their children about this phenomenon and to not reply to threats they come across online.

He says if anyone comes across threats of violence on social media to not hesitate and call 9-1-1 so police can promptly investigate the situation, make arrests and secure schools if need be.

Châteauguay school closure

École Louis-Philippe-Paré closed Monday following advice from Châteauguay police.

Principal Stéphane Brault emailed parents Sunday evening to alert them to the closure.

"We know this will require a reorganization of your family planning on Monday, but in this context we prefer to ensure the safety of students and members of our staff," he wrote. 

Nathalie Langevin, a spokesperson for Châteauguay police, said it's too early to determine whether the threats against Montreal schools and those targeting Louis-Philippe-Paré staff are related.

"We understand there's a wave of threats targeting schools in Montreal and Châteauguay, but we're unable to make a connection between the cases beyond all doubt," she said.