Two suspects were arrested earlier today following a three-hour lockdown at CEGEP Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu, 40 kilometres southeast of Montreal.
According to a CTV News report, the school went into lockdown a little after 9 a.m. Friday morning when school officials alerted teachers and students about suspicious activity around the CEGEP’s premises. While the details of those suspicions have yet to be released, it is said that a man dressed in a white long-sleeve shirt and dark cargo pants was seen wearing a bullet-proof vest.
The school was under lockdown for over three hours and lifted shortly after noon, according to CBC. Individuals were asked to barricade themselves in their classrooms with the lights off.
The school’s director general Nathalie Beaudoin updated students and faculty on the status of the lockdown on the school’s website. The most recent update at 12:11 p.m. said the police were undergoing a controlled evacuation.
Police arrested a 19-year-old male suspect and a female who is reported to be a minor. Details about the arrest have yet to be released. A pregnant woman was sent to hospital for precautionary measures.
TVA reporter Yves Poirier posted this photo of a possible arrest on Twitter.
Police reported no gunfire at the scene and no firearms have yet to be found.
School activities have been cancelled for the remainder of the day.
