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Two in custody, schools 'hold and secure', after threats uttered online

Last Updated Oct 4, 2016 at 5:59 pm MDT

Wood Buffalo RCMP Timberlea detachment.

Wood Buffalo RCMP said they had four people in custody Tuesday morning and were investigating them for uttering threats after an Instagram post threatened several schools in the community. Most schools reported they have lifted the ‘hold and secure’ mode.

After conducting interviews with two of the people they had arrested police released them. The remaining two suspects remained in police custody as of Tuesday evening.

Police continue to investigate.

“We don’t believe that there’s any imminent threat to public safety at this point,” said Cpl. George Cameron, Wood Buffalo RCMP. “We’ve tracked down an IP address which is local and we currently have four people arrested who are being interviewed as we speak.”

The investigation was prompted by this online post.

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“Last night about quarter after 10 we received a call about an Instagram that was posted in an uttering threat manner to students at various schools in Fort McMurray,” he said. “We did advise both the Catholic and public school boards of our investigation.”

It is up to the school boards to determine their course of action. As of 9:13 a.m. Tuesday all schools were in ‘hold and secure’ mode. Many schools lifted the precaution throughout the morning.

“It’s not a lockdown, it’s their ‘hold and secure’ is what they call it” said Cameron. “Which means that the doors are locked, no one’s in or out and they continue with their normal activities in the school like classroom and gym and stuff.”

There is no danger to the public at this time and Cameron said it’s important for the community to know the RCMP does monitor social media and will follow up on posts of this nature.

An update release will be issued as information is made available.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have information regarding this occurrence to contact Wood Buffalo RCMP at 780-788-4000. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or by internet at www.tipsubmit.com.

You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), you may be eligible for a cash award.