Lethbridge school lockdown over man with hatchet nets charges
CBC News | Posted: December 17, 2015 5:49 PM | Last Updated: December 17, 2015
Suspect was under the influence of drugs, police believe
A 37-year-old man has been charged in connection with an incident in Lethbridge, Alta. that prompted a school lockdown.
A man entered the Mike Mountain Horse School around 10 a.m. Wednesday saying he was being chased and that he had a weapon, police said in a release.
No weapon was seen and staff managed to contain the man in an empty room.
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The school was locked down as a precaution. When police arrived and took the man into custody, officers found a hatchet concealed in his coat.
There were no injuries during the incident.
"Drug use is believed to be a factor in the incident, but there is no evidence to suggest the man targeted the school or attended with the intent to harm students or staff," police said in a release.
Investigators believe the accused was seen earlier in the day behaving erratically near Father Leonard Van Tighem School.
The incident also prompted a room-by-room search of the school that turned up no other suspects.
The man, who has no fixed address, is charged with possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public, carrying a concealed weapon and breach of an undertaking.
He is set to appear in court on Dec. 21.