Police sweep Longueuil high school after student reportedly seen with knife-like object

Key facts

• Police received a citizen call Thursday afternoon about youths with an object resembling a firearm inside the school.
• The Service de police de l'agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) deployed specialized teams in a preventive operation.
• No weapon was found after an extensive search of the premises.
• The school, which enrolls about 1,000 students, was locked down around 1 p.m. and students were sent home by 2 p.m.
• All evening classes on April 30, 2026, were canceled; personal belongings will be retrieved the next day.
• The investigation continues to determine what prompted the citizen's report.
• No injuries were reported.

Lockdown and deployment

A heavy police presence cordoned off École secondaire Gérard-Filion in Longueuil on Thursday afternoon after authorities received a report that students were seen inside the school with an object that resembled a firearm. The Service de police de l'agglomération de Longueuil (SPAL) said it received the call from a citizen early in the afternoon. By 1 p.m., officers had arrived on site, and the school was placed under lockdown. Specialized intervention teams were called in as a precaution, working alongside school administrators and the Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin. The operation was described as a major police action.

No weapon recovered

Despite an intensive search of the building, police found no weapon. The SPAL stated that no firearm or any other dangerous object was discovered on the premises. The operation was deemed a preventive measure, and authorities emphasized that the safety of students and staff remained the priority throughout. No injuries were reported. The school, which serves approximately 1,000 students, was secured without incident.

Student release and school closure

Around 2 p.m., roughly an hour after the lockdown began, students were told they could return home. The Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin announced that personal belongings would not be available until the following day. All evening classes scheduled for April 30, 2026, were canceled, and the school building was closed for the night. The decision to cancel evening courses and restrict access was taken to allow the investigation to proceed without interruption.

Ongoing investigation

Police have launched an inquiry to understand the circumstances that led to the citizen's report. Investigators are working to determine whether the initial sighting was a misunderstanding or if there was any credible threat. The SPAL has not disclosed whether any suspects have been identified or interviewed. The school board has not commented further on the incident, referring all questions to the police investigation.

Broader context of school security

The incident at École secondaire Gérard-Filion adds to a series of heightened security responses in of weapons on campus. While such operations often end without a weapon being found, they reflect the increased sensitivity of school communities and law enforcement to potential threats. Longueuil police have not indicated any connection between this event and other recent incidents in the region.

What comes next

The investigation remains active, and police have not set a timeline for its conclusion. The school is expected to resume normal operations the following day, with students able to retrieve their belongings. The Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin has not announced any further changes to the schedule. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward, though no specific appeal has been made public.

The bottom line

• of a weapon-like object at École secondaire Gérard-Filion triggered a major police operation on Thursday.
• No weapon was found after an extensive search, and no injuries occurred.
• The school of about 1,000 students was locked down for about an hour before students were sent home.
• Evening classes on April 30, 2026, were canceled; personal items will be returned the next day.
• The investigation is ongoing to determine the basis of the citizen's report.