Steinbach RCMP are reporting that a 14-year-old student of the Steinbach Regional Secondary School has been arrested in connection to a weapons incident that caused a number of local schools to be place in a hold and secure.

On November 3, 2022, at approximately 2:30pm, Steinbach RCMP received a report of a male youth walking in the community in possession of a knife. The 14-year-old male attends Steinbach Regional Secondary School and is also known to frequent the Stonybrook Middle School.

Police say that at no time was a direct threat made, but with no known whereabouts of the male, it was believed, after consultation with school division administration, that for safety purposes a hold and secure for both institutions would be put in place. This went into effect at 3pm.

Officers continued to patrol Steinbach for the youth while other officers attended the schools to assist with dismissal procedures to ensure those youth departing on a school bus or with a parent/guardian could safely leave the school. The youth who were to walk home remained in the school.

RCMP report that at 3:50pm, the youth turned himself in and was subsequently taken into custody and officers were able to seize a large kitchen knife as a result. The youth was then charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Police noted that at this time the hold and secure was lifted and all students were able to be dismissed.

No injured had been reported as a result of the incident and RCMP continue to investigate the incident.