Ryan Catholic College: Teen arrested, gel blaster recovered after Townsville school lockdown

UPDATE: A 14-year-old boy has been charged and will face court today after allegedly brandishing a gel blaster gun at students outside a school in Townsville. Here’s the latest.

Ryan Catholic College, Kirwan

UPDATE: A 14-year-old boy has been charged and will face court today after allegedly brandishing a gel blaster gun at students outside a school in Townsville.

The teen has been charged with charged with going armed so as to cause fear after police arrested him in relation to an incident outside Ryan Catholic College in Kirwan on Thursday.

The school went into lockdown for about an hour after a boy allegedly got into an altercation with an another boy outside the school.

Police sources say he allegedly then produced a gel blaster and pointed it at students before fleeing the scene on foot.

THURSDAY: A teenager has been arrested and a gel blaster has been recovered following a ‘serious incident’ that forced a Townsville school into temporary lockdown.

Ryan Catholic College in Kirwan was placed into lockdown for about an hour just before noon on Thursday as police responded to reports of two suspicious individuals loitering near the school grounds.

Sources say one boy was seen carrying what appeared to be a replica weapon or gel blaster.

Police said initial information indicates the boy assaulted another boy — who sustained minor injuries — outside the school.

Its understood he produced a gel blaster and pointed it at students before fleeing the scene on foot.

Ryan Catholic College, Kirwan

In response to the alarming situation, a precautionary search and lockdown was immediately enacted at Ryan Catholic College.

Within a short period, police managed to locate a teenage boy in connection with the incident.

The 14-year-old boy was taken into custody and is currently assisting police with their inquiries.

During the investigation, officers also recovered a gel blaster believed to be involved in the incident.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the event.

The lockdown at the school was lifted after 1pm and students were allowed to leave their classrooms.

In a message to parents during the incident, the school administration stated, “A serious incident has occurred resulting in the college being placed in lockdown.

“Staff acted quickly and calmly, and all students are safe.

“Police are onsite to resolve the issue and further communication will be sent once the lockdown has been lifted.”

Acting Executive Director, Louise Vella-Cox said the school had received information that a person, unrelated to the college, posed a threat.

“The report indicated that the person may have a weapon and a decision was made to put the college in lockdown,” she said.

She said Townsville Catholic Education takes the safety and wellbeing of their students and staff very seriously and they commend the college on following the lockdown procedures.

“We also thank the students and staff for their patience and co-operation during this time,” she said.

Originally published as Ryan Catholic College: Teen arrested, gel blaster recovered after Townsville school lockdown