News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

The first school dance of the year at Columneetza was only 10 minutes old tonight when a bomb threat to 911 resulted in RCMP and fire crews on scene, BC ambulance on standby and approximately 200 students emptying out into the parking area in temperatures below freezing.  Since the theme of the dance was 'toga', many students had bare arms and legs.

RCMP were already on scene to provide security for the event, and when the bomb threat was announced at around 6:15pm, they helped teachers usher the students out of the building.

(Photo:  Students beginning to exit the building.  Photos by Adam Duffy of Got News Network Inc.)

Students, teachers and parents expressed disappointment, sadness and frustration, even though the exit from the gymnasium was organized and orderly.

One teacher told students to keep their eyes and ears open for the ‘idiot who did this.’ This was the first dance of the school year, and cost a minimum of $3,000 to put on.

A lot of the kids were sad: it was their first high school dance. Columneetza Leadership Teacher Robin Fofonoff answered as many questions from students as she could.  She said that they’re going to have to start over again and fundraise but that they  will try again.

“We’re really sad,” she said. “After last year’s dance we really wanted this one to go well. A lot of kids were very disappointed during last year’s dance because there were so many drunk kids. We decided to increase the RCMP presence this time around.”  A group of Ms. Fofonoff's students thanked her for all she had done to make the event happen, and a group-hug followed.

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(Photo:  Williams Lake Senior Secondary student Megan Doering said the dance was just starting when police and teachers came around and asked people to start evacuating.  She said there were no audible alarms, no lights flashing, and no smells to indicate there was a problem.  Megan said no one seemed overly worried or scared as they exited the building.  In this photo: Kyleigh Williamson, Riley Barta, Brooke Dawydiuk, Megan Doering, Rhianna Landon, Danika Volkmann.)

Comments heard by kids and parents on site included: ‘Very scary,’ ‘that’s crazy,’ ‘too bad,’ ‘I’m so mad’ and ‘I hope I get my money back.’

“The kids said the place looked ‘really cool’ and they were so excited about the dance,” one parent said, and other comments included, ‘I hope they found out who did this,’ and ‘I feel sorry for the kids and the staff—it’s one thing after another this year and they all deserve better.’

Most of the emergency vehicles departed by just after 7:00pm, and approximately 70% of the kids were gone, however RCMP are still on scene.

On February 16th, 2012 at 6:16 pm the RCMP received an anonymous report that there was a bomb at the Columneetza Secondary School in Williams Lake, BC. At the time the call was received the school was having a student dance. The school was evacuated without incident. During the search of the school no bomb was located. It was determined that the call originated from a pay phone at the Williams Lake Greyhound terminal. This matter remains under investigation.

The RCMP are asking the public to contact the Williams Lake RCMP detachment at 250-392-6211 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS if they know the identity of the person(s) who made this call.

© Got News Network Inc., 2012. All rights reserved.

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