A 12-year-old boy is facing charges after allegedly causing an explosion on a Regina elementary school playground.
On March 28, the principal of the school in Normanview West had contacted the school resource officer reporting an incident involving an explosive chemical reaction that had injured a student.
The beginning stages of the investigation had indicated an improvised explosive device, which was created by mixing ingredients in a closed container.
Allegedly, the boy, who was a student at the school, had carried out the container which had exploded, injuring a 12-year-old girl who was nearby, also a student at the school.
“They’re materials that are relatively common that when mixed together, in a closed container, create enough pressure to explode the container,” police spokesperson Elizabeth Popowich said.
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The girl was taken to the hospital with injuries that appear to be caused from chemical burn.
Regina Public School Division spokesperson Terry Lazarou says that recess supervisors reacted quickly, calling 9-1-1 and administering first aid to the injured girl.
“The school very quickly identified that there wasn’t an ongoing threat to students or staff and the situation was dealt with at that point,” he said.
“We’re pretty confident that the student did not intend to cause any damage or any harm to anyone. It was an accident, but it’s still a very unwanted and unwelcome type of thing to be happening,” Lazarou said.
The school division will be taking time to talk to students about the incident and inform parents. Once students are back from the Easter break, lessons about being responsible online citizens will also be reinforced, and to be critical of information found online.
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Regina police had carried out a search of the suspected boy’s home as part of the investigation, and had also engaged in a protocol that assessed any potential threat posed by the suspect, which had resulted in the boy facing charges connected to this incident.
Police, school officials and other authorities are all engaged in planning to provide a follow-up and other resources as needed for everyone involved.
At this time, there is no evidence that this act was directed at any particular individual.
The boy is facing multiple charges under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, including using explosives, assault with a weapon and mischief under $5,000.
He made his first court appearance on these charges at 9:30 a.m. on March 29.
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