Amherst man, 31, charged after roaming near elementary school with airsoft guns
AMHERST, N.S. — A 31-year-old Amherst man has been charged with firearms offences after being caught walking near an Amherst elementary school on Thursday, Jan. 25.
Amherst Police Department members received a call about a person wearing dark clothes and a balaclava on Mission Street near West Highlands School, carrying what appeared to be a rifle, shortly before 1 p.m.
The school was locked down and placed into hold and secure mode as a precaution as police notified other area schools and obtained witness reports.
Shortly after, officers learned the suspect might have been spotted behind a row of houses in a nearby residential area.
Police located and arrested the man, seizing an airsoft rifle and airsoft pistol, which police described as “looking authentic.”
Cory LeBlanc is facing two charges of breach of probation, two counts of possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, and single charges of mischief, beach of a weapons prohibition, carrying a concealed weapon and resisting arrest.
He was held in custody overnight and made a court appearance on Jan. 26. He is set to return on Jan. 30 to face charges.
The investigation is ongoing.
Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the Amherst Police Department at 902-667-8600 or tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
