THUNDER BAY – A lockdown that began at Hammarskjold High School Wednesday afternoon has been lifted after police gave the all clear.
On Wednesday afternoon, at least three patrol cars and one undercover vehicle were seen at the school.
A student outside the Clarkson Street facility said she heard that a weapon had been seen in the school. Police later confirmed they were called to the school on a weapons call.
“Hammarskjold High School is currently in a lockdown following an anonymous tip with regard to a safety concern. Thunder Bay Police are on site as per protocol. We will update you as more info becomes available,” the board tweeted.
Several northside public schools were also on hold-and-secure protocol as a precaution. The Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board immediately placed three schools under hold-and-secure, St. Pius X, Bishop E.Q. Jennings and Gateway. The board later placed all north-ward schools in hold-and-secure, including St. Ignatius High School and St. Patrick High School, located on the city's south side.
Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute was also under a hold-and-secure.
Police responded to two separate weapons calls, one at 10:56 a.m., the other at just after noon. They reopened the school after the first call was cleared, but were back shortly afterward to deal with the second.
Police went through the entire building througout the day and did not finding anything. Students had a regular dismissal at the end of the day and a spokesperson with the Lakehead Public School Board said the school will be open on Thursday.
A Grade 8 open house scheduled for Wednesday evening at Hammarskjold has been postponed.
