Threats that closed 2 Kitchener high schools were fabricated, police say

CBC

31 May 2024 at 9:41 am·1-min read

WRPS says there will be increased police presence in the area as the investigation continues. (Kate Bueckert/CBC - image credit)

Waterloo regional police no longer believe there are any safety concerns at St. Mary's High School and Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute after threats of violence closed both schools this week.

Cherri Greeno, Waterloo Regional Police's director of corporate affairs, says investigators believe the threats were fabricated. They are now focused on identifying the people behind the hoax.

The person responsible could face significant charges, including public mischief, uttering threats or other serious criminal charges.

Cameron Heights reopened on Friday with increased police presence in the school area.

St. Mary's High School is scheduled to reopen on Monday and stay closed on Friday because it is a scheduled PD day for staff and students.

St. Mary's remained closed on Wednesday and police confirmed the closure was due to a report of threatened violence.

In a memo, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) said the school remained closed for an additional day off on Thursday to potentially "aid the investigation and allow us to explore and implement any potential safety measures that may be required."

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) announced Thursday morning Cameron Heights would be closed that day as staff work with police to investigate a second threat. Police said they received a threat of violence against the Cameron Heights at 1:20 a.m. Thursday similar to that of St. Mary's.

Students at the public high school continued their day learning virtually through asynchronous resources.

The Telegraph
Woman arrested after prison officer filmed allegedly having sex with inmate
A woman has been arrested after footage was widely circulated that appeared to show a prison officer having sex with an inmate.
The Independent
A pair of siblings were stabbed and the sister’s dying words were that the killer was a man from Detroit. Thirty-four years later, he’s been arrested.
Pamela Sumpter, was raped and stabbed, and her brother John Sumpter was stabbed to death, at their Georgia home on July 15, 1990
People
Fla. Woman Who Sexually Abused Her 2 Young Sons, Family Dog Learns Fate: 'It Doesn’t Get More Evil'
Natalie Jesslynn Wagner, 28, of Port St. Lucie, made and sold videos of herself committing sex crimes against her children, 1 and 3, authorities said
LA Times
She died a convicted killer. On Friday, her kids saw a judge declare her innocent
Connie Dahl's sons were 3 and 8 when there mother was taken away in handcuffs, accused of a brutal murder. On Friday, a California judge declared her innocent — 39 years after the killing.
The Hill
Barrett breaks with conservatives over Jan. 6 obstruction charge ruling
In a pointed dissent, Justice Amy Coney Barrett skewered her fellow justices over their decision to narrow an obstruction charge used to prosecute scores of rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The Supreme Court voted 6-3 on Friday to side with Joseph Fischer, a former police officer accused of partaking in the…
CNN
A year ago, she drank battery acid to escape life under the Taliban. Today, she has a message for other Afghan girls
Arzo survived a suicide attempt but now faces a new threat that could send her family – and millions like them – back to Afghanistan and a life that has become so intolerable for women and girls that some would rather die.
The Independent
Uvalde school police chief pictured in orange jumpsuit as he’s charged over mass shooting which left 21 dead
Uvalde police officers had wanted to enter the classrooms once they had protective shields but Pete Arredondo’s decision ‘overrode’ that action
CNN Business
One of the world’s richest men wants to transform India’s biggest slum
When Masoom Ali Shaikh arrived in Mumbai in 1974 as a young man from northern India, the patch of land where he set up shop was “just a creek with no proper road and garbage all around,” he said.
INSIDER
12 ultra-wealthy people who aren't leaving their fortunes to their children
Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple cofounder Steve Jobs, said that her family's billionaire status "ends with me."
The Hill
Ex-Trump official lauds Supreme Court ruling on Jan. 6 riot cases: ‘Absolutely right’
Former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker (R) said that the Supreme Court was “absolutely right” in blocking the Justice Department (DOJ) from charging Jan. 6 rioters with obstruction. Whitaker, who served as former President Trump’s Acting AG for three months in 2018 after Jeff Sessions vacated the role at the president’s request, said he viewed…
BBC
Stabbed man had 'heart of gold', his family says
Paying tribute to the 23-year-old, his family say they will "never be the same without him".
The Telegraph
Driver chains £100,000 Land Rover to tree in bid to stop thieves
A Land Rover owner has chained their car to a tree in London to prevent it being stolen.
The Hill
Air Force veteran charged with disclosing classified information
An Air Force veteran released classified national defense information about aircraft and weapons to unauthorized individuals, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said in a Thursday announcement. Paul Freeman, 68, of Niceville, Fla., was indicted by a federal grand jury and the charges unsealed after he appeared before a court Thursday in Pensacola. The DOJ accused…
People
A Mother Served Her 19-Year-Old Son an Eviction Notice. Now He's Accused of Strangling Her to Death
Conner Kobold is charged with the murder of his mother, Shanelle Burns
CNN
‘Biggest worry in captivity was for my parents,’ rescued Israeli hostage Noa Argamani says
Rescued Israeli hostage Noa Argamani has spoken out about her ordeal publicly for the first time since her rescue, saying in a video message that her biggest concern during captivity was for her parents.
The Telegraph
Watch: Moment police arrest man accused of plotting to kidnap and rape Holly Willoughby
A security guard accused of a plot to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby said the star was “a fantasy of mine” as police raided his flat, according to body-worn video footage played in court.
The Independent
His wife has been missing for a week. Now he’s charged with using her credit cards to buy cleaning supplies
Zachariah Rasch, 42, bought $6,000 worth of items with Crystal Rasch’s credit cards, including gloves, stain remover and carpet cleaners
Associated Press
Eagles singer Don Henley sues for return of handwritten ‘Hotel California’ lyrics
Eagles singer Don Henley filed a lawsuit in New York on Friday seeking the return of his handwritten notes and song lyrics from the band’s hit “Hotel California” album. The civil complaint filed in Manhattan federal court comes after prosecutors in March abruptly dropped criminal charges midway through a trial against three collectibles experts accused of scheming to sell the documents. The Eagles co-founder has maintained the pages were stolen and had vowed to pursue a lawsuit when the criminal case was dropped against rare books dealer Glenn Horowitz, former Rock & Roll Hall of Fame curator Craig Inciardi and rock memorabilia seller Edward Kosinski.
Hello!
King Charles looks so regal in new royal portrait released for special event
King Charles has featured in a new royal portrait which was released to mark Armed Forces Day. See the stunning image taken by Hugh Burnand here and a video with Queen Camilla
People
Mom and Son Found Dead in Minn. Apartment, Police Suspect Murder-Suicide
Their bodies had been there for a period of time, according to investigators

Latest stories