OttawaOttawa police have charged a 23-year-old man with “threatening communications” made against St. Mark High School in Manotick after a staff member there posted about the killing of right-wing American activist Charlie Kirk. Unspecified threat made after social media posts by staff member, board saysCBC News · Posted: Sep 14, 2025 5:42 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 15Ottawa man charged after school threatened over Charlie Kirk postOttawa police have charged a 23-year-old man with “threatening communications” against St. Mark’s Catholic High School in Manotick, that the school board said came after a staff member posted about the killing of right-wing American activist Charlie Kirk.Ottawa police have charged a 23-year-old man with “threatening communications” against St. Mark Catholic High School in Manotick, that the school board said came after a staff member posted about the killing of right-wing American activist Charlie Kirk. The Ottawa Police Service said on Monday it had executed a search warrant a day earlier and arrested the suspect. The school’s principal alerted families of pupils about the threat in a letter on Sunday morning, which the Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) later shared with CBC.”Over the weekend, we became aware of a threat made in response to these posts. We are taking this situation very seriously,” the letter said.”Upon learning of the threat, we immediately contacted the Ottawa Police Service, who are actively investigating. Police officers will be present at the school on Monday morning.”In a second letter on Sunday afternoon, the school’s principal told families of pupils that a person of interest was in custody. It added that police did not believe there was a risk to students or staff, but would be at the school as a precaution.”School will be open as usual. We continue to work closely with both the Ottawa Police Service and the Ottawa Catholic School Board to ensure your children are safe,” the letter said.An OCSB spokesperson did not share specifics about the threat, referring the matter to police.CBC asked Ottawa police for more information.Board looking into postsKirk, a right-wing commentator and close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, was fatally shot in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday while speaking before an outdoor campus gathering.According to the letter, the posts by the St. Mark employee “were made outside of school hours, on a personal account” and do not represent the values of either the school or the board.The board is looking into the matter “expeditiously and carefully,” it said.OCSB’s policy on social media use states that “board staff will not engage in online behaviour or post comments that would reflect negatively on the school.” It adds that staff may be disciplined if their social media activity results in a disruption to the school or board environment.On Monday, an OCSB spokesperson told CBC in an email that employee relations are confidential and the board will not comment on any potential outcomes.With files from Trevor Pritchard
Ottawa man charged after school threatened over Charlie Kirk post
