Teen accused of threatening Halifax high school pleads guilty to gun-related offence

A teenage boy in Halifax recently pleaded guilty to one of the many charges he is facing for making threats against a local high school. The 16-year-old was arrested after a tip from a suicide hotline operator who reported that the teen had plans to shoot up Citadel High and then take his own life. The teen appeared in youth justice court and admitted to unlawfully handling ammunition. He is set to be sentenced in September.

The boy, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is also facing 32 other charges, including gun-related offenses and threats against other students and racialized communities. Many of the charges stem from rifles, shotguns, and airguns found at the teen’s home. Additionally, court documents reveal that he is accused of promoting hatred against Black and Jewish communities through online hate groups over the past year.

The teenager has been denied bail and has been in custody since his arrest over seven weeks ago. As part of the legal proceedings, Judge Bronwyn Duffy has ordered the teen to undergo a psychological assessment at the request of his lawyer. The assessment is expected to be completed before the sentencing in September.

The teen is expected to appear in court again next month to enter a plea for the remaining charges. The case has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of students and communities in Halifax. The authorities are taking the matter seriously and are working to ensure that justice is served.