The string of violent incidents in and between Hamilton High Schools shows no signs of slackening despite police interventions and expulsions.
In the latest indecent, Hamilton Police have charged a young person after a misleading and potentially dangerous situation unfolded at Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary High School.
Last Friday police were called to the school for a report of a person with a firearm. Information at the time stated that a student had pointed a gun towards another student and that the suspect may still be inside the school. As a result, the high school was placed into a hold and secure while Police cleared each room. Once it was completed and officers had confirmed that there was no further threat to safety, the hold and secure was lifted, but the search for the suspect was still ongoing.
A short time later, the suspect was placed under arrest and the investigation began to reveal that no firearm was ever observed. As such, the suspect was released.
Investigators soon discovered that the person who made the gun call to police had actually attacked a student with a can of bear spray and then concocted a story about the gun to displace any wrongdoing towards himself.
Yesterday, Police placed the youth under arrest for assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon, administering noxious thing with intent to cause bodily harm and public mischief.
The incident is just the latest in a series of violent events involving Hamilton High Schools, one of which has resulted in a fatality of a 15-year-old
Starting on Monday November 25, Police were called to the area of Upper Sherman and Rymal Road for a disturbance involving multiple students from Nora Henderson high school. Physical violence had erupted, and bear spray was discharged by some of the parties in attendance causing numerous injuries. Traffic was also disrupted as a result of melee. One adult was charged with Assault level one, one youth was diverted for Assault with a weapon, and four other youths were diverted for Assault level one.
Then on the following Monday, a student at St Jean de Brebeuf Catholic Secondary was charged after they were found to be expelling a can of bear spray into a school drain causing mischief to the property. The student was charged with Possession of a prohibited weapon, Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and Mischief to property.
Then on Tuesday December 3, 2024 Police were called to Ancaster Community Center for another large gathering of students from Ancaster High School, Bishop Tonnos High School, and St Thomas More High School. A fight broke out and some of the involved parties utilized bear spray against the opposing sides. Police charged one youth with Possession of a prohibited weapon and Assault with a weapon, while three youths were diverted for possessing a prohibited weapon.
The inter school violence was first reported in October, when at least 100 students were involved in a parking-lot fight in the days before 15-year-old Jayden Russell was killed in a high-speed crash on October 11. In that incident, Police say some sort of disturbance broke out resulting in a car chase on the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. Two of the vehicles collided and lost control. One vehicle was able to regain control but a Toyota SUV left the road and rolled several times. During the roll, one or more occupants were ejected from the Toyota. And the 15 year old, was pronounced dead soon after arriving at the hospital.
In conjunction with the latest incidents, criminal charges and diversions, the accused parties in each of these incidents have also been suspended by their respective school.
Anyone with any information that could assist Police with this occurrence, are asked to contact the on-duty Division 3 Staff Sergeant at 905-546-3886. To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com
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