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CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Youth pleads guilty to weapons charges in Halifax high school threats case
A police vehicle is seen at Citadel High School in Halifax on April 24, 2025. (Hafsa Arif/CTV Atlantic) HALIFAX — A 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty to seven weapons charges on Thursday in a case where police alleged the youth threatened to harm students at a Halifax high school in April. The boy was originally facing 33 charges for crimes including the illegal possession and storage of weapons and creating online hate groups. Crown prosecutors dropped 25 of the charges, including the four charges alleging he'd threatened people, in a provincial court hearing Thursday in Halifax. Prosecutor Terry Nickerson noted during the hearing that the teenager also pleaded guilty in June to a single count of illegal possession of ammunition. Court documents say the weapons the youth pleaded guilty to possessing include brass knuckles, four rifles and two shotguns. However, outside of court, defence lawyer Tony Amoud said his client had called police to report himself before his April 24 arrest. Amoud said the teen showed 'a willingness to address the issues that got him here in the first place.' The lawyer said it was understandable there was public alarm when police first announced the boy's arrest. However, he said the sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 3 would show the the investigation began with the boy asking for help. 'This is a young man who called for help and that resulted in him being in custody and we want to make sure that rehabilitation is the main focus here and this young man gets the help he asked for,' Amoud said. After the youth's arrest in April, Halifax police charged him with weapons possession offences, uttering threats and unsafe storage of ammunition. During a news conference at the time, police Chief Don MacLean commended investigators for acting swiftly to ensure the safety of Citadel High School, which is located about 900 metres from police headquarters, and has about 1,500 students in Grades 10 to 12. However, he also asked the public to have empathy for the teen. 'While it is natural to react to these types of events with fear, I do urge people to also react with compassion,' MacLean said at the time. 'Youth who consider violence as their last resort have been facing their own struggles and can be difficult to understand.' The youth was remanded into custody in a provincial jail after his arrest and has remained in custody since then. The court heard Thursday that a psychological assessment was ongoing and should be provided before the sentencing hearing in September. Amoud said he plans to argue that his client should not spend any more time in jail. 'Don't judge a book by its cover. These kind of situations ... have a certain sensational, attention-grabbing nature to them, but like most cases, there's always more to the story and more nuance that we see at the initial stage,' he said. The Crown prosecutor wasn't available for comment after the hearing. By Michael Tutton This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.
Global News
5 days ago
- Global News
Teen pleads guilty to weapons charges in Halifax high school threats case
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook A 16-year-old boy has pleaded guilty to seven weapons charges in a case where police alleged the youth threatened to harm students at a Halifax high school. The boy was originally facing 33 charges for crimes including the illegal possession and storage of weapons and creating online hate groups. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Crown prosecutors dropped 25 of those charges in a provincial court hearing in Halifax Thursday. Prosecutor Terry Nickerson noted that the teenager pleaded guilty in June to a single count of illegal possession of ammunition. Court documents say the weapons the youth pleaded guilty to possessing include brass knuckles, four rifles and two shotguns. Sentencing for the weapons and ammunition offences is set for Sept. 3.
CBC
01-05-2025
- CBC
Teen accused of threats to Halifax high school now charged with promoting hatred
The teenager arrested for allegedly making threats against a Halifax high school is now facing a series of new weapon and gun charges, and is also accused of promoting hatred against Jewish and African-Nova Scotian communities. A 16-year old was arrested at his home in the early hours of April 23 after police received a tip from a suicide hotline operator alleging the teen said he was going shoot up Citadel High and then take his own life. The teen was scheduled to appear in Halifax youth court on Wednesday for a bail hearing, but it was adjourned until May 12 because a series of new charges were laid. He is now facing a total of 33 charges. "The Crown's case is still being formulated, but [there's] all the indications that this is a very serious matter," Crown prosecutor Terry Nickerson said after Wednesday's hearing. Nickerson said the Crown has received a large volume of evidence related to the case, including material found on four laptops and a cellphone. The Crown continues to receive evidence from police and more charges could be laid, he said. Threats against students The teen, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was initially charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, unsafe storage of ammunition and one count of uttering threats. Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean said during a news conference last week that police didn't believe there was a threat against anyone specifically at the school. But the teen is now charged with making threats against three specific students. He is also charged with willfully promoting hatred against Black and Jewish comminuties over the last year by creating online hate groups, according to court documents. Halifax police arrest teen after threat against high school 7 days ago Duration 1:54 A 16-year-old boy has been charged with multiple offences after Halifax police acted on information of a threat against Citadel High School. A Crown prosecutor alleges the teen told a suicide hotline he wanted to open fire at the school before killing himself. Many of the new charges relate to rifles, shotguns and different airguns found at the teen's home. He faces 12 counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and six counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm. He was also charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose for both brass knuckles and a knife, the court documents said. Two other counts relate to the brass knuckles being a prohibited weapon. The youth was ordered to remain in custody until the next hearing and is prohibited from having any contact with any students at Citadel High.
