ON Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., Abbotsford Police Department responded to Yale Secondary School for reports of a man with a knife. A student located the man within the school’s bathroom and immediately reported the discovery to school staff.
At no time did the male suspect threaten any students or staff, but instead displayed the knife to show the student, police said.
Before police arrived, all lockdown procedures were put in place by school administration ensuring student safety throughout the event. W.A. Fraser Middle and McMillian Elementary were also placed into lockdown and shelter-in-place, respectively, as a precaution.
All available on-duty officers, with the assistance of RCMP Police helicopter Air 1, responded and conducted an extensive search of the school and surrounding areas, confirming the suspect had left, and no students were injured.
At this time, investigators have confirmed that the suspect departed the area of Yale Secondary by vehicle and was dropped off at the intersection of Gladwin Road and South Fraser Way. Abbotsford Police’s General Investigative Section has taken over this active investigation to determine the suspect’s motive.
Investigators are asking the public for assistance in identifying the suspect (see photo), as for dashcam footage from those who may have been travelling in the area of South Fraser Way and Gladwin Road between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. If you can assist, call the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225.