Yukon RCMP said police responded to an “ongoing incident” at a residence in Whitehorse’s Riverdale neighbourhood on the morning of Jan. 20.
A Jan. 20 public advisory provides an update on the situation. In the advisory, Whitehorse RCMP’s General Investigation Section and the Yukon RCMP’s Critical Incident Program conducted a search warrant related to a “serious, ongoing investigation.”
Police previously indicated there would be an increased police presence in the area, but the police activity has ended, according to the latest advisory.
Schools and the public in the area are not in “immediate danger,” according to the earlier release.
No schools have been locked down, RCMP communications told the News by phone. Police would not provide additional details about the incident but said more information will be released.
A screenshot of an email from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School to parents states the school was put in a “hold and secure” out of an “abundance of caution”. The email indicates police were dealing with a situation near the school. In the email, that means students must stay in the classroom while instruction goes on. The email indicates all students and staff are safe and there is “low risk” of harm.
Photos provided to the News appear to locate the police scene near the crosswalk on Lewes Boulevard at the intersection of Duke Road, which is down the street from the school.
In an email at 3:25 p.m. on the afternoon of Jan. 20, Krisandra Reid, communications analyst in the Yukon’s Education department, said St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Secondary School initiated a “hold and secure” in response to the police activity until the issue was resolved. No one enters or exits the school building during a hold and secure, which has since been lifted.
Reid said the principal will be communicating with families to assure that there is no concern regarding the health and safety of students.
RCMP had been asking people to stay away from the police activity and not to share information about the incident and the locations on social media.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com