A weapons complaint involving what was later determined to be an imitation firearm sent Ross Sheppard High School into a full lockdown Friday afternoon. Cruisers had swarmed the building and a loud speaker coming from the school could be heard informing students and admin of a lockdown and to stay away from doors and windows. An Edmonton Police Service spokesperson said officers responded to the complaint at 12:30 p.m. The weapon was found to be an imitation firearm. There were no injuries and no arrests made. The lockdown was lifted at 2:30 after officers gave the all clear, EPS said. “Imitation guns can appear very real, and people, including police, can’t tell the difference,” an agency spokesperson said. One concerned parent at the scene received an automated message from the Edmonton Public School Board alerting them of the lockdown. “Your child is safe. Everyone is quiet and staying out of sight,” the message reads. The school board said it uses SchoolMessenger, an urgent message system the division employs to keep families aware of emergency events. A spokesperson told CTV News Edmonton a letter would also be going out to parents.
