No one hurt after possible threat leads to temporary Toronto high school lockdown

A Toronto public high school was locked down for roughly two hours Friday after a possible threat was made against the school, but police determined it was not credible, according to the principal.

No one was injured in the incident at at Riverdale Collegiate Institute, Principal John Au said in a letter to parents, caregivers and students.

Au said staff learned of the possible threat at 10:50 a.m., Toronto police arrived shortly afterwards, and the school was locked down. Au said the lockdown was lifted by 1:15 p.m. when police finished their investigation. The threat had been made by phone, he said.

"Although the threat was not credible, we know that the lockdown situation may have been upsetting for some students," Au said.

He said there will be social workers at the school Monday for anyone who needs support.

Riverdale Collegiate Institute has moved all exams that were scheduled for Friday afternoon to Monday "due to the disruption to the day," Au said.

Focus is public safety, police say

Toronto police said in an email Friday that officers work closely with school staff to assess safety concerns when called to a school because of a potential threat.

"Police officers are required to carry their use-of-force equipment, including their firearm, as part of their uniform," police said.

"That means when officers attend schools — whether in response to a threat or for other public-safety reasons — they do so while wearing that equipment. Officers may enter school buildings and classrooms when needed to assess or respond to a situation."

Police said the focus in these situations is always on public safety, particularly that of students and staff.