A Lethbridge youth has been charged in connection with possession of a weapon in connection with lockdowns at four southside schools. On Tuesday, police responded to reports of a group of youths along the 300 block of 18 Street South, including one who police say appeared to have a handgun in his waistband. As a precaution, lockdowns were undertaken at St. Francis Jr. High, Ecole St. Mary Elementary School, Catholic Central High School and Lethbridge Collegiate Institute. Using security footage, police say they were able to identify a group of six teens who were taken into custody without incident. Investigation revealed that the 16-year-old male was in possession of black, handgun-style water pistol. Officers searched the suspects’ lockers and no other weapons were discovered. A 16-year-old Lethbridge male was charged with a single count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. He was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 9. Police want to remind parents and youth that imitation firearms --airsoft guns, water guns and other realistic-looking replicas-- should never be brought into school or displayed in public in a way that could cause concern. Replica weapons can be indistinguishable from real ones and police treat reports involving weapons as real until proven otherwise.
