A 15-year-old from Bridgewater is facing serious criminal charges after police say they disrupted an alleged plan to carry out a violent attack at Parkview Education Centre.

Bridgewater Police Service says the investigation began earlier this month after INTERPOL and the FBI flagged concerning online conversations involving the Bridgewater teen and another youth in Manitoba.

 Police allege the two had been communicating since late February about the possibility of coordinated attacks at their local schools.

While investigators say the threat was not believed to be imminent, police determined the conversations showed signs of planning and intent, prompting further investigation.

On March 17, officers with Bridgewater Police Service arrested the youth and executed a search warrant at a residence in the community. Police say the search uncovered handwritten plans, imitation weapons, a crudely constructed imitation pipe bomb, an imitation assault-style rifle, electronic devices, and clothing displaying hate symbols along with other concerning material.

As a result, the youth has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and uttering threats to cause death. Police say other potential charges, including hate-related offences, are still under investigation.

The youth appeared in Bridgewater Youth Court on March 18 and remains in custody. Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the accused cannot be identified.

Police say the quick response prevented any harm and emphasized that public safety is their top priority. 

Authorities also reiterated that online threats and extremist content are taken seriously, even when an attack does not appear imminent, and urged community members to report concerning behaviour.