A 15-year-old student from another school was arrested for allegedly pulling out a large knife during a confrontation with students at Nanaimo District Secondary School on Monday, April 17. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Charges pending

Teen armed with large knife arrested following disturbing altercation at NDSS

Apr 17, 2023 | 3:01 PM

NANAIMO — A 15-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly waving a large knife around in a threatening manner at NDSS.

The detachment’s media liason officer Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said police are piecing together what led to the Monday, April 17 incident occurring at about 11 a.m.

“It appears that the individual with the knife was from another school, entered the school and got into an altercation with two other youths. Nobody was injured in the incident and a teacher intervened in the incident to break it up.”

Video of the incident sent to NanaimoNewsNOW details a chaotic scene of the masked suspect pulling the large weapon from a sleeve and pointing it toward multiple students.

“Put the knife away!” students could be heard pleading to the accused.

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The student put the knife in the waistline of his pants and was then physically challenged by a pair of students before a teacher intervened from a distance.

The suspect then ran away with the knife.

Police said he left the school and was arrested shortly after on nearby Hillcrest Ave.

A large knife believed to be used during the altercation was found near where the teen was arrested.

“He’s been released on charges pending for assault with a weapon and he’s been turned over to the care of his parents,” O’Brien said.

He said their Police Dog Services tracked down the suspect, adding school surveillance footage was helpful in identifying the youth and determining where he went.

“Our understanding is there is some history between that individual and other others, but we can’t say anything further on that,” O’Brien noted.

He wouldn’t comment if the accused has had prior dealings with police.

A hold and secure order was put in place at NDSS for under 15 minutes as a result of the incident.

O’Brien said their school liason officers and NDSS teachers and staff will be speaking with students about the incident and quelling any fears they may have.

Anybody with video footage of the incident is asked to send it to the Nanaimo RCMP.

Editor’s Note: NanaimoNewsNOW is unable to publicly share the video due to privacy issues.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes