Earlier Friday morning (Feb 11, 2022) several schools in Fort St. John had to be locked down after a suspicious man entered the school and alleged there was an explosive device near the school.

Just after 5:00 a.m. frontline officers from Fort St. John were called to a work site approximately 100 KM from Fort St. John for a report that an employee was acting erratically, was causing a disturbance and damaging property.

Prior to officers’ arrival, the employee allegedly stole a work truck and was heading toward Fort St. John.

Later, police officers patrolling for the truck and the employee, located the truck in the parking lot of a local area elementary school. A note had been left indicating there may been an explosive device inside the truck.

Out of an abundance of caution the school and schools in the vicinity were locked down, as officers investigated the possible threat, states Inspector Anthony Hanson, Officer in Charge of the Fort St. John RCMP. Once it was determined there was no explosive device, the lock downs were rescinded.

Officers have since located and apprehended the man. He has been taken to a local area hospital for assessment.