THUNDER BAY – Hammarskjold parents and students are breathing a sigh of relief. Thunder Bay Police are continuing their investigation into the series of threats made against Hammarskjold High School since February.
Thunder Bay Police report that the two people arrested as the result of an ongoing investigation into threats targeting Hammarskjold High School have now been formally charged and appeared in court for their first appearance on Thursday, April 18, 2019.
Investigators with the Thunder Bay Police Service discovered that the first accused, Emilie-Jade PAKRASHI an 18-year-old Shuniah woman, submitted Crime Stoppers tips about pending threats to the high school on April 8, 9, 10, and 16.
The threats ranged from planned shootings to possible explosives. The information provided required police to quickly respond to the school to ensure public safety. Each response included extensive searches of the building.
Earlier in the investigation, police were able to identify a device that was being used to submit some of these threats.
The accused was arrested on Wednesday, April 17, and a device linked to the Crime Stoppers tips was seized.
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.
Emilie-Jade PAKRASHI, 18, of Shuniah, Ont., is charged with Public Mischief Reporting Offence x 3, and Mischief Interference with Lawful Use of Property x 3.
The 14-year-old boy from Thunder Bay was also charged with Public Mischief Reporting Offence x 4, and Mischief Interference with Lawful Use of Property x 4.
The 14-year-old accused was released to a responsible person.
The Youth, in this case, is under specific conditions ordered by the court:
- He must reside with parents.
- He must be amenable to the rules of parents.
- The youth is to have no contact directly or indirectly with any staff or students of Hammarskjold High School.
- He must remain in the district of Thunder Bay unless with a parent.
- He can possess no weapons.
- He must reside in a firearms free residence.
- He is not to possess any computer or device capable of accessing the internet.
- He must resent himself to the door when requested by the police.
- He must as well as his surety submits to a search of his person, home, or motor vehicle for a police search for any internet capable device.
- He is not to attend Hammarskjold High School or be within 500 metres of the school unless in the company of a parent.
His name is being withheld in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Both accused appeared in court Thursday. PAKRASHI was released to a surety with a $10,000 bail.
Thunder Bay Police Service state that their investigation remains ongoing and more charges are expected.
