RCMP investigate third bomb threat at a Salmon Arm school

SALMON ARM – Students of Shuswap Middle School in Salmon Arm began their day today waiting on the school field while RCMP investigated a bomb threat.

At roughly 8 a.m. on Feb. 19, school administration was told someone had written "there was a boam" on the bathroom wall and it was reported to police, according to an RCMP media release. The word "boam" was misspelled. Students were kept outside while Mounties investigated the level of the threat.

RCMP advised the school the writing was a non-specific, low-level threat.

School District #83 spokesperson Alice Hucul said in an email, students were called back into the school for an assembly during which RCMP and district staff talked to them about public mischief.

"RCMP Sgt. Hunter was very clear with the students that public mischief charges could be brought against the student(s) involved," she said in the email.

Principal Silke Yardley told the assembly it's a shame one or two students are making poor choices.

This is the third bomb threat to the school in recent months. Police were called to the school Dec. 17, 2014 and the school was evacuated and students sent home.

It happened again Jan. 20, 2015 and police found the culprit and determined the threat was a prank.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.