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Alleged bomb threat forces evacuation of two Kamloops schools and homes

A suspicious message was written on David Thompson Elementary School, Friday
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Photograph By DAVE EAGLES/KTW

UPDATE: 4:15 p.m.

A spray-painted message reading ‘Find the Bomb’ on David Thompson Elementary School (DTES) forced the evacuation of the school as well as Westsyde Secondary School and nearby residences.

Police were called to DTES about 11:30 a.m., June 19, after staff at the school discovered the message.

RCMP responded alongside Kamloops Fire Rescue and BC Ambulance Service to ensure DTES was completely evacuated and that all students and staff were outside of an established safety perimeter.

According to Sgt. Brandon Buliziuk, RCMP, an explosive specific Police Service Dog and school staff conducted searches of the school.

“There were ultimately no foreign objects or devices located inside or outside DTES. Subsequently, the scene was released back to the care of the School District and the public in the area were advised that they could return to their homes,” said Sgt. Buliziuk.

While officers were investigating the matter they discovered a similar tag was spray-painted on Westsyde Secondary School three days ago.

“These responses are taken very seriously and often require a rapid displacement of people from an area, to ensure their safety. Our member’s highest priority was the safety of the students, staff, and residents in the area of DTES,” explained Sgt. Buliziuk.

The investigation into the matter is ongoing.

Last September there was a string of incidents involving bomb threats made to Kamloops schools, many of which involved spray-painted messages on the exterior of schools.

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Two Kamloops schools and several homes are being evacuated after the RCMP were altered to a suspicious message written on David Thompson Elementary.

RCMP is currently responding to the elementary school at 1051 Pine Springs Rd in Westsyde. Both David Thompson Elementary School and Westsyde Secondary Schools were evacuated and police set up perimeters to keep people a safe distance from the school. Multiple police personnel are present in the area and tactical evacuations of some residences are also underway.

More to come.

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