Cobourg police station/X photo
Cobourg Police Service say the scene at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School has been cleared and the lockdown lifted following a reported threat.
Police say officers conducted a thorough search of the building and did not locate anything related to the threat. No injuries were reported.
Investigators now believe the incident was an instance of swatting, where a false report is made to trigger a large emergency response. Police say efforts are underway to identify the origin of the call and the person responsible.
Earlier in the day, the school was placed in a hold and secure before students and staff were evacuated as a precaution. Classes were walked to the Cobourg Community Centre, where students were supervised and parents were asked to pick them up.
The evacuation had a broader impact in the community, with the Town of Cobourg cancelling programming at the Cobourg Community Centre until 3 p.m. to accommodate the situation.
Cobourg Police Service thank students, staff, parents and the community for their cooperation.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
