In a concerning incident that unfolded in Brampton, nine schools were placed on hold-and-secure orders for the majority of Friday afternoon following the shooting of a teenage girl with a replica firearm at a local shopping plaza.

Police responded to a weapons dangerous call in the Central Park Drive and Grenoble Boulevard area of Brampton after receiving a dispatch at approximately 11:25 a.m.

According to law enforcement officials, a 17-year-old girl was discovered just outside a Pizza Pizza restaurant with two wounds resulting from the discharge of the replica firearm. She was promptly transported to a nearby hospital and her injuries were determined to be non-life threatening.

It was initially reported that the victim was 13 years old, but that information has since been corrected.

Const. Sarah Patten informed reporters at the scene that the suspect responsible for the shooting has not been apprehended. However, the authorities have identified the suspect and are actively conducting a search to locate him. Investigators are canvassing the area in pursuit of the individual.

As a precautionary measure, the affected schools were placed on hold-and-secure status, ensuring the safety of the students and staff. However, the hold-and-secure orders have now been lifted, and students have been dismissed from their respective schools.

The incident involving the shooting of a teenage girl with a replica firearm at a Brampton shopping plaza has sparked concern and heightened vigilance within the community. While the victim’s injuries are not life-threatening, the search for the suspect is underway as investigators continue their efforts to locate him.

The prompt response from law enforcement, along with the precautionary measures taken by the schools, demonstrates the commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community’s residents, particularly its students.

Further updates on the investigation are anticipated as the search for the suspect remains ongoing.