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RCMP in Prince Edward Island say a 46-year-old man is in custody after he allegedly caused a disturbance at Morell Consolidated School that prompted school officials to issue a shelter-in-place order.
In a news release, Kings District RCMP said they were called to the eastern P.E.I. school about reports of an intoxicated man just after 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Police said the man was trying to locate a student at the school. Officials initiated a shelter-in-place order and contacted RCMP.
“The staff acted appropriately to contain this individual and to act in the best interests of the safety of all students,” said Cpl. Gavin Moore, the P.E.I. RCMP’s media relations officer.
“In this case, it required all students to clear from open areas and doors were locked, restricting access of this individual to any parts of the school.”
Officers found the man on school grounds. He was arrested without incident and is under investigation for impaired driving, mischief and breach of probation.
RCMP Cpl. Gavin Moore says lockdown and shelter-in-place orders aren’t common at P.E.I. schools. (CBC)
RCMP told CBC News the man is known to police. No one was injured during the incident.
“There was no overt danger presented to students, the general student body. Certainly intoxicated people in a school is not a situation anybody wants for their students, for their children and for the staff working in the school,” Moore said.
“We don’t see lockdown or shelter-in-place events very often. Certainly we are grateful that the students and staff have put some time and effort into learning this practice, because it does help in situations like this.”
In a statement, the P.E.I. Public Schools Branch said the shelter-in-place protocol at Morell Consolidated was in effect for around 45 minutes.
“These protocols were closely followed by teachers, and no students were in harm’s way during the incident,” the statement reads. “There is support available for any teachers or students who feel they could use support.”