Strong School Trust and Quick Action Lead to Swift Arrest of Armed Man

Trust and strong school community relationships enabled Constable Austin Masneri, a Community School Engagement Officer, to swiftly arrest an armed individual and ensure the safety of students and staff at an Ottawa school.

The incident unfolded when school administrative staff received a phone call from an irate father attempting to remove a student from the premises. Staff quickly verified that the individual did not have legal custody and was not authorized to withdraw the student.

Recognizing that the situation might escalate, the vice principal contacted Constable Masneri directly, drawing on the strong trust and rapport he had built with the school. Shortly after, the enraged man arrived at the main office and continued acting aggressively toward staff.

Constable Masneri stepped in to intervene. While working to de-escalate the situation, he noticed the handle of a handgun protruding from the man's jacket pocket. Moving decisively, the officer took the suspect into custody without further incident. A subsequent search revealed a loaded, gas-powered pellet gun concealed in the pocket.

Thanks to the quick judgment of Constable Masneri, school operations were not impacted, and no one was hurt.

This incident highlights the vital role that School Engagement Officers play every day.

The Community School Engagement Unit is a specialized division of the Ottawa Police Community Youth Section, focused on youth engagement, crime prevention and support. Officers from the unit are assigned across the city's four school districts. The section coordinates with partners like the Youth Services Bureau (YSB), CHEO, Kids Come First and other organizations to support youth in our communities.

By being present in school environments and building strong, familiar relationships with staff, students, and parents, officers are uniquely positioned to handle unexpected situations, ensuring schools remain safe and welcoming places for students to learn and thrive.

If you'd like to know more about our Youth Section or to get in touch with your local Community School Engagement Officer, you can contact the Ottawa Police Youth Section by email at youth@ottawapolice.ca or by phone at 613-236-1222, ext. 5355.