THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Police Service report that more charges have been laid in connection with the ongoing investigation of a series of threats made earlier this year against local high schools.
Two people were formally charged on April 18, 2019, for making a series of threats that mostly targeted Hammarskjold High School. An investigation discovered the first accused, an 18-year-old Shuniah woman, had submitted Crime Stoppers tips about pending threats against the high school.
Those threats ranged from planned shootings to possible explosives. The information provided required police to quickly respond to the school to ensure public safety.
Police were able to identify a device being used to submit some of these threats and as a result of their ongoing investigation identified a suspect and arrested the accused on April 17. A device used to submit threats was seized at that time.
Further investigation by police linked the accused to other tips, leading to three additional charges of Public Mischief Reporting Offence, and three new charges of Mischief Interference with Lawful Use of Property.
These additional charges are linked to threats made on April 12, 15, and 17. The original charges were linked to incidents on April 8, 9, 10, and 16.
Including these news charges, Emilie-Jade PAKRASHI, 18, of Shuniah, Ont., is now charged with Public Mischief Reporting Offence x 6, and Mischief Interference with Lawful Use of Property x 6.
The matter will is scheduled to be addressed in court on Monday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.
The investigation also identified a second suspect, a 14-year-old boy from Thunder Bay.
Investigators learned the youth had submitted a series of anonymous tips regarding threats to Hammarskjold High School on April 11 and April 17.
Police were able to determine the device used to submit these tips and later arrested the youth in connection with the investigation.
The 14-year-old boy from Thunder Bay was charged with Public Mischief Reporting Offence x 4, and Mischief Interference with Lawful Use of Property x 4. His name is being withheld in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
