2 teens charged, firearm seized after hold-and-secure at Port Colborne schools

Two teenage boys are facing charges following reports of a person with a firearm inside of Port Colborne High School, resulting in three schools being placed on hold-and-secure Thursday.

Niagara police responded shortly after 1 p.m. to the high school located at 211 Elgin St. for a weapons call.

Port Colborne High School, Steele Street Public School and McKay Public School were then placed on hold-and-secure after investigators learned a teenage boy was seen with a firearm.

Police’s emergency task and K9 units attended the scene to assist investigators in their search for the firearm, which was later found at a location outside of the school.

Reports of a firearm brought to Port Colborne High School.

No injuries have been reported.

Schools remain in lockdown while ETU, K9 and uniform members search to locate the firearm.

Further information for parents to follow

— NRPS (@NiagRegPolice) November 9, 2023

After a thorough search of Port Colborne High School, the hold and secures were lifted and all students were sent home. Police assisted and stood by as students left the schools.

Officers say no one was injured.

Niagara police have arrested and charged two 15-year-old boys from Port Colborne.

One of the boys has been charged with possession of a weapon, careless use of a firearm and possessing a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence.

At this time, the schools impacted in Port Colborne have all been cleared and deemed safe.

There will be no ongoing impact as a result of today’s investigation.

— NRPS (@NiagRegPolice) November 9, 2023

The other boy has been charged with possession of a weapon and possessing a restricted or prohibited firearm without holding a licence.

Both boys were held in custody pending a bail hearing that is scheduled for Friday at a St. Catharines courthouse.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact investigators at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1008980.