Teen accused of threatening Alberta school
Police allege John Clapham made Facebook threats towards a school in Medicine Hat, Alta.
CBC News
Posted: Dec 31, 2012 4:22 PM MT
Last Updated: Dec 31, 2012 4:19 PM MT
An 18-year-old made his first court appearance in Lethbridge Monday after being charged with uttering threats against a southern Alberta school.
John Clapham was arrested on Boxing Day.
Police allege he made comments on Facebook that referenced the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in the U.S., which claimed the lives of 20 kids and six adults, and made threats towards a school in Medicine Hat, Alta.
"It's important that the public remain vigilant so when they see this information out there in cyberspace and in social media that they do notify us because it allows us an opportunity to investigate the allegations," said Sgt. Stacey Kesler with the Medicine Hat Police.
In addition to uttering threats, Clapham is charged with publishing obscene material.
Police won't say whether the 18-year-old is still a student or has a criminal past.
Peter Grad, who chairs the Catholic School Board in Medicine Hat, says Clapham was enrolled in a special program a few years ago which helps kids with severe emotional or behavioral disorders.
The case has been adjourned until Thursday.
Share Tools
Latest Calgary News Headlines
- Downtown Kiss-In marks Anti-Homophobia Day
- Couples from the LGBT community participated in a Kiss-In to mark International Anti-Homophobia Day. more »
- Entrepreneur on a mission to teach gardening
- A Calgary entrepreneur and gardener is working throughout the city to teach people about growing food. more »
- Danielle Smith asks RCMP to investigate Sandhu
- Wildrose Official Opposition Leader Danielle Smith has requested the RCMP conduct a criminal investigation into the actions of Edmonton-Manning MLA Peter Sandhu. more »
- Evanston victims died by stabbing, police say
- A man has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder after the bodies of a woman and young boy were found in Calgary's northwest Thursday. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Senator Pamela Wallin leaves Conservative caucus
- Senator Pamela Wallin says she is recusing herself from the Conservative caucus while her travel expense claims are under scrutiny. Wallin's departure comes one day after Senator Mike Duffy left the Tory caucus amid controversy over his expense claims. more »
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford cancels weekly radio show
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will not be hosting his weekly radio show this weekend after explosive allegations that he was recorded on video appearing to smoke crack cocaine. more »
- WHO concerned coronavirus spreading person to person
- The World Health Organization has issued a blunt assessment of the coronavirus outbreak in Saudi Arabia, acknowledging for the first time that there are concerns the virus may be spreading from person to person, at least in a limited way. more »
- Body found after fishing boat capsizes off New Brunswick
- A man's body has been found after a lobster fishing boat capsized off the eastern coast of New Brunswick. more »
- Danielle Smith asks RCMP to investigate Sandhu
- Evanston victims died by stabbing, police say
- Lock your doors, police warn
- Chat replay: Your gardening questions answered
- Power outage cost ENMAX $20M
- Calgary fire ban lifted
- Family angry after Calgary police chief defends shooting
- Alberta to open 6 new trade offices
- Banff's Cave and Basin reopens after renovation
