Coalhurst Elementary School was in lockdown briefly at the end of the school day Thursday after a box of ammunition was found in the parking lot.
School buses had already departed with bused students, but about 50 students as well as staff and some parents at school were moved into full lockdown. At about 3:30 p.m., a parent discovered an open box of ammunition left near a parked vehicle near the front of the school. The principal called 911 and moved immediately to lockdown as a precaution.
When RCMP and Alberta Sheriffs arrived, they conducted a sweep of the grounds before conducting a room-by-room sweep inside the building. When the police deemed it was safe, students and staff were brought together in the elementary school’s atrium to explain what occurred. The lockdown was lifted by 4:20 p.m.
No one was hurt and no one was at risk.
A lockdown can be upsetting for students, staff and parents, and counselling services will be available Friday at the elementary school for anyone who needs support.
The safety of students and staff is paramount. While a lockdown can be upsetting, it was important to ensure students and staff were safe.
The RCMP are investigating.