Teen accused of threats to Halifax high school now charged with promoting hatred
A 16-year-old teenager from Halifax who was arrested for allegedly making threats against Citadel High School is now facing a series of new weapon and gun charges, along with accusations of promoting hatred against Jewish and African-Nova Scotian communities. The teenager was taken into custody at his home in the early hours of April 23 following a tip from a suicide hotline operator who reported that the teen had expressed intentions to carry out a shooting at the high school before taking his own life.
Originally charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unsafe storage of ammunition, and uttering threats, the teenager now faces a total of 33 charges. Crown prosecutor Terry Nickerson stated that the case is being taken very seriously, with a large volume of evidence, including materials found on four laptops and a cellphone, being compiled for the case. Nickerson also mentioned that additional charges could be laid as more evidence is gathered from the police.
The teenager is now accused of making threats against three specific students at Citadel High and promoting hatred towards Black and Jewish communities through the creation of online hate groups over the past year. The new charges primarily revolve around the possession of rifles, shotguns, airguns, brass knuckles, and a knife found at the teenager’s residence. The charges include 12 counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, six counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose for brass knuckles and a knife, with two counts related to the brass knuckles being classified as prohibited weapons.
During a news conference, Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean assured the public that there was no specific threat targeting individuals at the school, but the teenager’s actions have led to concerns about the safety of the community. The teenager has been ordered to remain in custody until the next hearing and is prohibited from having any contact with students at Citadel High.
The bail hearing for the teenager has been adjourned until May 12 to allow for the formulation of the Crown’s case and the presentation of additional evidence. The seriousness of the charges and the impact of the teenager’s actions on the community highlight the importance of addressing issues related to threats, weapons possession, and promoting hatred to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals.
