Secure lockdown ends at downtown high school, Ottawa City Hall, following ‘security issue’

Ottawa police said secure lockdown has ended at a downtown high school and at Ottawa city hall after a report of a young person with a weapon, early Wednesday.

Around 11:30 a.m., Ottawa Police Service (OPS) received a call about a person who may have had a weapon. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) told CityNews that Lisgar Collegiate Institute was placed in ‘secure school safety mode.’ Nearby schools and businesses also went into secure mode as a precaution.

This also prompted a secure mode at Ottawa city hall. A city staffer made the announcement during a committee meeting on Wednesday, that the doors to city hall were locked and anyone trying to join the committee meeting in person was advised to do so virtually.

Ottawa police said they searched Lisgar Collegiate Institute, and located and arrested a youth off-site. No one was hurt and all secure modes have ended, with normal services resuming at both locations.

Police have yet to confirm whether a weapon was found and whether charges could be coming. Their investigation continues.

Police were called just after 11:30 a.m. this morning for reports of a person possibly in possession of a weapon.

Schools and businesses nearby went into a secure lockdown as a precaution.

A school was searched, and a youth was located and arrested off-site. Police have since… https://t.co/1DcsLfY6eK

— Ottawa Police (@OttawaPolice) May 3, 2023

Somerset councillor Ariel Troster said on Twitter, that the situation at Lisgar Collegiate was ‘now resolved’ and city hall was ‘no longer in a secure facility status.’

For those who are asking, the situation at Lisgar high school is now resolved, City Hall is no longer in a secure facility status. No one was harmed.

— ArielTroster (she/her) (@ArielTroster) May 3, 2023