'Terrifying': Oakville boy, 16, charged criminally in gun incident that triggered school lockdown and sent parents into a panic

Halton Regional Police have laid a weapons charge against an Oakville teenager after an incident that caused a high school lockdown and sent other schools into hold and secure.

Const. Steve Elms confirmed the 16-year-old, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, has been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose in connection with the chaos that ensued at White Oaks Secondary School around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday (May 31).

Police responded there for multiple reports of a male walking around with a gun, triggering a lockdown at White Oaks and hold and secure orders at nearby schools.

Officers found a replica handgun and arrested the teen.

No injuries were reported, but videos captured some of the tense moments during the ordeal.

"Some terrifying moments," said Charles Dingham, a resident in the area. "Lots of cops and some scared parents."

The accused teen has been released from custody pending a future court date to answer to the charge.

Two parents that Inside Halton spoke with who didn't want to be identified said the situation was unsettling and had them "worried sick," with one saying she was "sick to my stomach," particularly with what transpired in Uvalde, Texas, last week, where 21 people were killed when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at Robb Elementary School.