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The Welland Hospital and schools in the area are in lockdown as Niagara police say they’re investigating reports of a shooting.
There’s a heavy police presence on Second Street between Plymouth Road and Lincoln Street in Welland, say police.
Residents are asked to shelter in place or avoid the area as of Friday morning “while our officers work to make the area safe,” police said in a news release.
“A large perimetre has been set up,” they said.
People are also asked to avoid the area of Lincoln Street to the north, King street to the west, Third Street to the south and Coventry Road to the east.
No staff, students allowed into public school
Schools in lockdown include Plymouth Public School and St. Mary Catholic School.
District School Board of Niagara posted on X that no Plymouth staff can leave the school, and no students or staff will be allowed into the school, until the lockdown is lifted.
“If you walk or drive your children to school, please keep them at home until further notification,” the school board said.
Plymouth students already on a bus will be taken to Diamond Trail Public School, it said.
The Catholic school board is following the same lockdown procedures, it said on Facebook. Students already on the bus will be dropped off at St. Andrew Catholic Elementary School, where parents can pick them up.
“We recognize that this is an unfortunate and inconvenient time of the day for this to be happening,” the school board said. “However, we support the police’s efforts to keep our students and staff safe, as their safety and well-being is our priority at all times.”
Hospital not admitting patients
Niagara Health, which runs Welland Hospital, said on X that no new patients will be admitted to the building while the lockdown continues. Visitors are also not allowed inside.
All current patients will be cared for, Niagara Health said.
People with appointments are asked to stay home and watch for updates.
More to come