Just before 11:00 a.m. this morning, Abbotsford Police responded to a call from a third party indicating a potential threat of violence at a school in the area of Old Yale Road and McMillan Road. 

The report prompted an immediate and significant police response to ensure the safety of students, staff, and users of the Abbotsford Recreation Centre. As a precaution, Yale Secondary School was placed under lockdown. McMillan Elementary School and William A. Fraser Middle School were directed to shelter in place while officers assessed the situation. Safety precautions were also implemented at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre.

AbbyPD Patrol officers, supported by specialty units including Integrated Police Dog Services (IPDS), quickly secured each facility and confirmed the safety of all students, staff, and visitors as the incident unfolded. The lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders have since been lifted. At this time, the incident is being investigated as a suspected swatting call.

 A swatting call is a false report of a threat or emergency. AbbyPD takes all reports of threats seriously and responds accordingly to ensure public safety. AbbyPD can confirm that all Abbotsford schools are safe and that no active threat has been identified. The criminal investigation is ongoing to identify the person or persons responsible for today’s threats. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact police. Further details surrounding today’s incident will be provided to parents directly from the Abbotsford School District. Members of the AbbyPD Youth Squad are also in contact with the schools directly impacted by today’s incident.