From The Toronto Star…
Twelve Toronto schools locked their doors for an hour and a half Thursday afternoon as police searched nearby for a suspected gunman in the Kingston Rd. and Woodbine Ave. area.
Classes at Notre Dame Catholic High School, St. Denis Catholic School, St. John Catholic School, Courcelette Public School, Adam Beck Public School, Monarch Park Collegiate Institute, Glen Ames Sr. Public School, Williamson Rd. Jr. Public School, Kew Beach Jr. Public School, Bowmore Rd. School, Balmy Beach Community School and Norway Jr. Public School were still in session but administrators locked the doors, starting around 1 p.m., as a precaution.
“There’s nothing parents need to be concerned about,” said Toronto District School Board spokesman Ryan Bird. “It’s just a ‘hold and secure,’ given the situation police are investigating.”
Bird insisted that schools were not in lockdown as classes were still in session.
Officers set up a perimeter near in the upper Beach area, but Sgt. Darryl Lindquist said the suspect slipped outside the police perimeter around 2:20 p.m. Police ended their active chase of the suspect shortly after.
The “hold and secure” status was lifted for all schools around 2:30 p.m.
Const. Tony Vella said police are looking for 18-year-old Nicholas Dillion-Jack in connection with a stabbing on Augusta Ave. in May. He is also wanted for firearms related charges.
“He is considered armed and dangerous,” said Vella.
Dillion-Jack is described as black, about 5-foot-5 and weighing about 140 lbs.
“Police were here for the purpose of apprehending him,” said Vella. “They saw him, they lost him.”
One suspect was briefly arrested and questioned around 1:50 p.m. but was released shortly afterward.
TTC buses were diverted around the scene. The 502 downtowner shuttle buses took temporary routes eastbound via Woodbine Ave., Gerrard St. E. and Main St.
With files from Liam Casey
