Collingwood Collegiate Institute was put in a brief hold and secure yesterday while local police investigated a threat against the school made five months ago.
Police have seized weapons and arrested two people in connection with their investigation.
According to a news release from Collingwood and The Blue Mountains Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), police received a report on Sept. 11, 2024 about a threat made in March, 2024, against Collingwood Collegiate Institute by a former student.
Though the threat was months old when police received notice of it, the OPP "takes all threats to public safety seriously," states the news release.
Collingwood OPP media officer Const. Trevor McKean explained the threat was communicated to someone in March, and that person just came forward to report it to police on Sept. 11, 2024.
Police learned the former student may have weapons in his vehicle and at his home in Clearview Township.
With the help of the Huronia West detachment, local officers went to the Clearview residence and found two firearms, several high-capacity magazines. According to police, the weapons and ammunition were "improperly stored" and without a valid firearms licence.
On learning the suspect was possibly nearby Collingwood Collegiate Institute, the school was put in a hold and secure, though it was after school hours during extra-curricular activities.
Police located and stopped the suspect's vehicle in a parking lot on Cameron Street in Collingwood and arrested the driver and passenger without incident.
McKean confirmed the suspect's vehicle was not in the school parking lot, though CCI is located on Cameron St.
At that time, police also seized two replica firearms, bear spray, pepper spray, a knife and brass knuckles.
Police charged Jordan Young, 18, of Clearview with the following:
- Utter threats to cause Death
- Possession of a Prohibited device for a dangerous purpose - Four Counts
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose - Three Counts
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm - Two Counts
- Possession of an imitation firearm for a dangerous purpose - Two Counts
- Possess a prohibited device
- Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition - Three Counts
The vehicle passenger, Bradley Caughlin, an 18-year-old from Collingwood, was also charged with the following offences:
- Possession of a prohibited device for a dangerous purpose - Two Counts
- Breach of a Sentence Order
Though the passenger was arrested and charged, he was not linked to the threat against the school.
"There's no evidence to suggest he's part of it," said Const. McKean.
Both accused were held for bail to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie.
The investigation is ongoing. Police request that anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Huronia West OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
