BARRIE

Shooting threat prompted OPP to redirect students in Tottenham

CTV Barrie Published Thursday, April 20, 2017 1:21PM EDT Last Updated Thursday, April 20, 2017 2:00PM EDT

The OPP rerouted students heading to St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School in Tottenham, Ont. on Thursday, April 20, 2017 after a threat was made over social media. (Liana Ciniello)

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There was a heavy police presence at a Tottenham high school on Thursday morning after threats of a shooting were made over social media.

Officers rerouted buses and students arriving at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School to off-site locations, while police investigated.

Students were brought to Father FX O’Reilly School and to a community centre.

The OPP say the threat wasn’t directly made towards St. Thomas in Tottenham, but towards a school in Brampton that has the same name. Police felt there were grounds for a hold and secure.

Peel police took similar actions at the school in Brampton. Investigators have been able to determine that the post was originally made by someone in the Brampton area.

The hold and secure has been lifted, but students have all gone home for the day at St. Thomas. Classes have also resumed at Father FX.

The investigation is ongoing.