Youth arrested after alleged Snapchat threats targeting Alberta high school

A youth is in custody after police say threats were made on social media to shoot students at a high school in Stettler, Alta.

According to a release from Royal Canadian Mounted Police, officers received reports Wednesday night about messages sent over the Snapchat platform involving a school in the central Alberta town, located east of Red Deer. Police say they launched an investigation shortly after the report was received.

RCMP say a youth has been arrested and a charge of uttering threats is pending. The identity of the youth cannot be released under youth justice laws. Police have not confirmed whether the individual is a student at the school and did not immediately respond to requests for additional details.

Investigators say they do not believe there is an ongoing risk to students. However, officers will maintain a presence at the school as a precaution.

The incident may raise concerns for schools in other Alberta communities, including Edmonton and Calgary, where police have previously responded to threats made over social media platforms.