15-year-old faces multiple charges in Moncton-area Alert Ready incident

A 15-year-old facing multiple charges in relation to a Sept. 20 Alert Ready message in the Moncton area will remain in custody until trial.

The youth, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared virtually in a Moncton courtroom on Tuesday.

He is facing several new charges, along with the initial charge of pointing a firearm at another person. Those charges were not read out in court. There is a publication ban on reporting details.

Judge Brigitte Volp listened to testimony from a peace officer, the mother of the youth, and the youth himself and decided he would be remanded into custody until trial.

The 15-year-old is under strict orders not to communicate with four other peopleand will return to court on Oct. 2.

Appearances by 3 of 5 arrested

In total, five people were chargedin relation to incidents on Friday, Sept. 20.

On that day, at 2:48 p.m., police issued an Alert Ready message regarding a grey 2017 Dodge Caravan traveling dangerously in the Moncton or Shediac areas.

Earlier that afternoon, ahold and secure order was put in place at Moncton High School,with reports of "an individual brandishing a firearm," according to RCMP.

One individual was arrested, but the 15-year-old fled the scene in the van. By 3:45 p.m., police had located the subject of the emergency alert in the Long Creek area.

The vehicle was seized and towed from the scene. Twoof the five people arrested were released on conditions.

A second youth, who cannot be named, also appeared virtually in court on Tuesday. He is facing eight additional charges in relation to the incident, as well as the initial charge of pointing a firearm at someone.

That youth's bail hearing has been delayed until Oct. 2, and he isalso under strict orders not to communicate with four people, including the 15-year-old.

Finally, 19-year-old Kalan Leblancalso appeared virtually for a bail hearing Tuesday.

Leblanc is facing a total of five charges, including pointing a gun, committing assault with a weapon, and failing to adhere to a previous youth court order. He is also under strict orders not to communicate with four people, including the two youths who appeared Tuesday.

Leblanc's bail hearing will be delayed to give him sufficient time to retain his previous lawyer. The hearing date will be set on Oct. 1, and he will remain in custody until that time.