Published Apr 24, 2025 • 2 minute readHalifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean addresses the media Thursday about threats made against Citadel High School. Police seized firearms and laid threats and weapons charges against a 16-year-old boy. Photo by Tim KrochakA 16-year-old teen is facing multiple charges after allegedly threatening to bring weapons to Citadel High School in Halifax.Police said they arrested the teen at his residence in Halifax at 3 a.m. Wednesday and seized a number of weapons, including firearms.“I know this is alarming, and I’m here today to provide reassurance that our officers are working around the clock to ensure that students can go to school feeling safe,” Police Chief Don MacLean said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentHe said there aren’t many details that he could provide about the case.The boy, whose identity cannot be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was scheduled to appear in Halifax youth justice court Thursday on single counts of possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, uttering threats and unsafe storage of ammunition. Police remained at Citadel High School in Halifax Thursday after a teen was arrested Wednesday during an investigation into threats made against the school. Photo by Tim KrochakPolice maintained a presence at the school Thursday to support students and staff. MacLean said they were there to provide a sense of safety and security, but police don’t believe there is an ongoing threat to the school and do not believe anyone else was involved in the incident.“While it is natural to react to these types of events with fear, I do urge people to also react with compassion. Youth who consider violence as their last resort have been facing their own struggles and can be difficult to understand.”He said the case involved “very serious threats in terms of relation to weapons in the school.”MacLean wouldn’t say the teen was a student at the school.Police deemed the threat to be credible and reacted immediately. The report of the threat was received not long before the teen was arrested.“It was an immediate response,” he said.He wouldn’t say how many weapons were seized or give details on what kind. There were some that were not firearms, MacLean said.He said police believe the threats were directed at the school in general as opposed to an individual.The investigating is continuing and is described as “complex.”Article content
Police seize firearms, other weapons after threats reported against Halifax school
