Students at Cochrane High School were not allowed near the school as they arrived for classes on June 8, after RCMP were notified a threat involving a bomb had been spray painted on the building’s exterior wall.
Police arrived at approximately 6:32 a.m. to find a message reading “there is a bomb insie (sic) ISIS is here ISIS is now” on the walls of the school.
The message appeared to refer to the Islamic extremist group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The group, founded in 1999, has been prominent in world news over the last 12 months and is considered responsible for a number of terrorist actions, including the beheading of American journalist James Foley in August 2014.
According to Cochrane RCMP Spokesman Corporal Gary Fedrau, speaking on June 11, “the matter is still under investigation at this time. There are a couple of persons of interest but no charges or anything have been laid at this time.”
Blood found near a broken window also indicated that the person or persons responsible for the message may have tried to gain entry to the school, according to a release issued by Cochrane RCMP on June 8.
Students were directed away from the school by RCMP and staff. A search of the building was conducted by officers and an RCMP service dog, however, no bomb was found, according to Fedrau. Students were allowed back into the school at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Cochrane High School is home to approximately 800 students in grades 9 through 12.
On June 8, RCMP issued a public appeal for anyone with any information about the incident to come forward. Anyone with any information is encouraged to call the Cochrane detachment at 403-851-8000.
If you have any information on any crime, call your local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
