Youth charged over school threats that shut down Coquitlam classrooms in February
Coquitlam RCMP say the B.C. Prosecution Service approved a charge of uttering threats against a minor on October 8, more than a month before the announcement.
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A youth has been charged with uttering threats in connection with a series of incidents that shut down classrooms at Coquitlam schools for days in February 2026, Coquitlam RCMP announced on Thursday.
CTV News reported the charge, saying Coquitlam RCMP confirmed the B.C. Prosecution Service approved the charge on October 8, 2026, more than a month before the announcement was made public. The accused is a minor and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Police did not share the youth's age or gender.
What happened at Coquitlam schools in February
Centennial Secondary School was placed under security precautions for three consecutive days and for four days across two weeks in late January and early February 2026. Other schools in the Coquitlam School District also received threats during the same period and had safety measures put in place.
CTV News reported that schools used two protocols during the incidents. Under "lockdown," normal school operations stop and students and teachers take safety precautions inside secure rooms. Under "hold-and-secure," school doors are locked but normal operations continue inside the building. Both types of measures were used at Coquitlam schools during the February incidents.
At the time, Coquitlam RCMP said only that the threats were "unfounded" and that police "follow established protocols" that are "intentionally cautious" when threats to schools are received.
The investigation
Coquitlam RCMP described the case as a "complex investigation" that began in February and remains ongoing. Superintendent Ian MacLellan, the officer in charge of Coquitlam RCMP, said in a statement: "Our investigators have worked tirelessly to pursue every lead and bring the person responsible before the courts. We remain committed to protecting our community and ensuring residents continue to feel safe, particularly our children and youth."
CTV News reported that the accused has been released and is "subject to various conditions," though RCMP did not state what those conditions are.
What comes next
The case will proceed through the courts. Because the accused is a youth, the proceedings are subject to restrictions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and further information from RCMP is limited.
Coquitlam RCMP is the contact for anyone with information about this investigation. For more news about Coquitlam, see the Coquitlam news page.
Questions this story answers
What charge was laid in connection with the Coquitlam school threats?
Coquitlam RCMP announced on November 13, 2026 that a youth has been charged with uttering threats. The B.C. Prosecution Service approved the charge on October 8, 2026, more than a month before the public announcement. The accused is a minor and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
When did the Coquitlam school threats happen?
The incidents occurred in late January and early February 2026. Centennial Secondary School was under security precautions for three consecutive days and four days across two weeks. Other schools in the Coquitlam School District also received threats and had safety measures put in place at the time.
What safety measures were used during the Coquitlam school incidents?
Coquitlam schools used two protocols. Under 'lockdown,' normal school operations stop and students and teachers take safety precautions inside secure rooms. Under 'hold-and-secure,' school doors are locked but normal operations continue inside the building. Both protocols were applied at Coquitlam schools during the February incidents.
What did the Coquitlam RCMP say about the investigation?
Superintendent Ian MacLellan, the officer in charge of Coquitlam RCMP, said in a statement that investigators 'worked tirelessly to pursue every lead and bring the person responsible before the courts.' MacLellan described it as a 'complex investigation' that began in February 2026 and said it remains ongoing.
Is the accused in custody after being charged?
No. CTV News reported that the accused has been released and is 'subject to various conditions,' though Coquitlam RCMP did not specify what those conditions are. The accused is a minor and their age and gender were not shared by police.
Why was more than a month between the charge approval and the announcement?
Coquitlam RCMP did not explain the gap in their statement. The B.C. Prosecution Service approved the charge on October 8, 2026, and the RCMP announced it publicly on November 13, 2026. The detachment said the investigation 'remains ongoing.'
What connection did the Coquitlam school threats have to the Tumbler Ridge tragedy?
CTV News reported that the Coquitlam incidents in February 2026 occurred just days before the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School tragedy, in which five students and a staff member were killed. The timing added to public concern about the Coquitlam threats, though the two events are separate and unrelated.
Where can Coquitlam residents follow developments in this case?
Coquitlam RCMP is the official source for updates on this investigation. The case will proceed through the courts. Residents with information can contact Coquitlam RCMP. For more Coquitlam news, see the Coquitlam news page at /bc/coquitlam-2026/news.
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