Smiths Falls Police Respond to Incident at SFDCI- Smiths Falls District High School

At approximately 11:13 a.m. on April 7, 2026, officers responded to two calls from Smiths Falls and District Collegiate Institute (SFDCI).

Police were contacted by a school official who reported that a pellet gun was seized by an individual and that other individuals may have been in possession of replica handguns.

The school was placed in immediate lockdown. Officers arrived on scene and began their initial investigation which included searching and securing the building. Out of an abundance of caution, police directed CHIMO Elementary School to go into a hold and secure.

Students and staff at SFDCI remained lockdown for over an hour while police and school administrative staff investigated the incident. This involved room to room classroom checks and some locker searches.

Once SFDCI was declared safe, and the lockdown was lifted at approximately 12:30 p.m. CHIMO Elementary School's hold and secure was lifted prior to 12:00 p.m.

As a result of the initial investigation 4 youths were taken into custody. Police can confirm they were students at the high school.

During the investigation, officers seized

1. A pellet gun resembling a Glock-style handgun
2. A replica handgun of .22-calibre

Police understand the stress and concern incidents like this cause for students, staff, and the broader community. Under established protocols between police and local school boards, incidents are managed collaboratively, with regular drills conducted to ensure preparedness. Our school officials and students were excellent today and we thank them for their patience.

The investigation remains ongoing, and further information may be released as it becomes available. Police are posting pictures of the replica guns seized as an awareness to students and their parents with how close they resemble real ones if pointed at the wrong person or worse, a police officer.

Authority;

Chief Jodi Empey
Smiths Falls Police Service

The investigation remains ongoing, and further information may be released as it becomes available. Police are posting pictures of the replica guns seized as an awareness to students and their parents with how close they resemble real ones if pointed at the wrong person or worse, a police officer.

The investigation remains ongoing, and further information may be released as it becomes available. Police are posting pictures of the replica guns seized as an awareness to students and their parents with how close they resemble real ones if pointed at the wrong person or worse, a police officer.