Lockdown lifted at eastern Ontario high school following 'threatening message', investigation continues

St. Michael Catholic High School in Kemptville, Ont. (Coutesy: stmichael.cdsbeo.on.ca)

The lockdown that was prompted Friday morning by a "threatening message" directed towards a school in Kemptville has been lifted, said the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Police say St. Michael Catholic High School was under a lockdown, as a precautionary measure after "anonymous threats of violence had been left on voicemail overnight," the OPP said in a news release.

The lockdown was lifted once police determined there was no actual threat to the safety of students.

Police remain on the scene as the investigation continues. Officers say it's not yet known whether the person involved is from the area or from another part of the world.

The OPP adds that such incidents are usually treated as serious threats until proven otherwise.

In a message to parents, the Catholic District School Board (CDSB) said the school received a message just before 8 a.m., noting an "unidentified person was going to come to the school at 8:30 a.m. with a gun."

By 8:15, police were at the school searching and identifying the threat, reads the message.

"We will update you with information as it unfolds and thank you for your patience in keeping with our emergency procedures," reads the message.