Collingwood Collegiate Institute (CCI) was put in a brief hold-and-secure Wednesday while local police investigated a threat against the high school made five months ago.
Police say officers have seized weapons and arrested two people in connection with their investigation.
According to a news release from Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP, police received a report on Sept. 11, 2024 about a threat made in March 2024, against CCI 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 Wednesday.
Police learned the former student may have weapons in his vehicle and at his home in Clearview Township.
With help from Huronia West OPP, police say officers went to the Clearview residence and found two firearms as well as 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 CCI, the school was put in a hold-and-secure, though it was after school hours during extracurricular activities.
Police located and stopped the suspect's vehicle in a parking lot on Cameron Street in Collingwood. The driver and passenger were arrested without incident.
McKean confirmed the suspect's vehicle was not in the school parking lot, though CCI is located on Cameron Street.
At that time, police say officers 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's passenger, Bradley Caughlin, an 18-year-old from Collingwood, was charged with the following:
- Possession of a prohibited device for a dangerous purpose (two counts)
- Breach of a sentence order
Though the passenger was arrested and charged, police say he was not linked to the alleged threat against the school.
"There's no evidence to suggest he's part of it," said McKean.
Both accused were held for bail to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie.
None of the allegations have been tested in court and they are both presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The investigation is ongoing.
Police request that anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Huronia West OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
