14-year-old arrested, charged after bomb threat to Guelph high school

Police in the Royal City have charged a teenager after a threat was made to a Guelph high school, prompting it to close on Monday.

According to Guelph police, a bomb threat was made against John F. Ross CVI, a high school located on Meyer Drive, just off Eramosa Road.

“On Monday morning, we received a call from an administrator at John F. Ross high school indicating that they had received a threatening email overnight,” said Scott Tracey, Media Relations Coordinator with the Guelph Police Service.

The school was closed for in-person learning Monday.

“While this has not been confirmed as a credible threat, we have decided to move to remote learning for the day,” said Chad Warren, principal of John F. Ross CVI. “The safety and well-being of students is always my number one concern and the top concern of all our staff members.”

Tracey said officers made sure the school was clear and an extensive search was conducted, including by the OPP canine unit. Nothing of concern was ultimately located within the school.

“At this point, we have no information to suggest that there ever was any danger to the school or the occupants,” said Tracey.

In an update later Monday afternoon, Guelph police said a 14-year-old was located and arrested for public mischief and two count of uttering threats.

They have been released with an upcoming court date.

“Police take incidents like this extremely seriously and will continue to work closely with school boards to help identify the individuals responsible and lay the appropriate criminal charges when a suspect is identified,” officials said.

John F. Ross high school will reopen Tuesday.