A call about a shooting threat at a school in Oshawa on Thursday afternoon was a prank and a 14-year-old was arrested as a result, Durham Regional Police chief says.
Harmony Heights Public School was placed under a hold and secure after receiving the threat around 2 p.m.
A number of Durham police units, including K9, attended the school on Galahad Drive, in the area of Rossland Road East and Harmony Road North, to investigate. They later determined that there were no safety concerns.
In a post on social media on Friday, Chief Peter Moreira confirmed it was a prank call.
Police charged the teenager with several offences, including criminal harassment, mischief, and endangerment.
“These incidents are not jokes: they cause fear & divert police from real emergencies,” Moreira said. “Parents/guardians, please speak with your children!”
Yesterday, @DRPS responded to a shooting threat at a school in #Oshawa. Around 2 pm, the school was placed on a hold and secure and a large police response ensued, with several units deployed including #K9. The call was a prank; a 14 y.o. was arrested and charged w/ criminal…
— Peter Moreira (@Chief_Moreira) February 6, 2026