Update: The Grande Prairie Public School District is responding to a recent RCMP report on Tuesday, March 4th of an individual with a handgun at the Grande Prairie Composite High School.
James Robinson, Deputy Superintendent for the Grande Prairie Public School Division, states that the individual was arrested in Muskoseepi Park, in an area between the Composite High School and Northwestern Polytechnic and was never on school property.
"Earlier today, the local RCMP released a statement related to an individual with a handgun at the Composite High School. This is an inaccurate representation of events.
- An individual was arrested in Muskoseepi Park, in an area between the Composite high school and Northwestern Polytechnic.
- The individual was never on school property.
- The school was not advised of the police action in the area and was not placed on a ‘hold and secure’.
- The school was informed of the matter after it had concluded.
- The Division was never informed of the event.
Please be assured that if the incident had occurred at the Composite High School that we would have initiated our safety protocol and would have informed parents directly of the event at the time.
We are committed to the safety of our school community and committed to open and transparent communications."
Information provided by the Grande Prairie Public School Division.
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Original RCMP news release
On Thursday, February 27, at approximately 12:10 p.m., Grande Prairie RCMP received a complaint of a male with a handgun at the Composite High School. The Grande Prairie RCMP with assistance of the Grande Prairie RCMP Police Dog Services responded promptly and were able to locate the male involved.
Police were also able to determine that the handgun was actually an imitation firearm or BB gun
As a result of this event, Eli Poteet (18) a resident of Grande Prairie has been charged with:
-Assault with a weapon
-Uttering threats
-Possession of a weapon dangerous to public purpose
Following a release hearing, Poteet was released from custody to later appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Grande Prairie on March 19, 2025.
Information provided by the Grande Prairie RCMP