The Mount Prospect Police Department on Sunday, November 17, 2024, was alerted by the Superintendent of School District 57 of a possible threat to Lincoln Middle School by a student on a social media app. Officers learned the 14-year-old student had posted a photo saying, “Don’t come to school on Monday”. The student had also posted another video a few days prior, holding what appeared to be a handgun while inside of their house. These posts were also seen by other students at Lincoln Middle School, who reported them to their parents as well as to the District 57 See Something, Say Something online reporting tool.
Mount Prospect Police Officers responded on Sunday, November 17, 2024, to the home of the student to investigate the possible threat. Upon initial investigation, the student told the officers the message was posted to be funny. The student also shared that the gun image that was shared was a BB gun and “not real” (not a real gun), according to the Mount Prospect Police Department. The BB gun was retrieved and shown to the officers. The BB gun was found to be a replica of a Glock style handgun and was later determined to resemble the gun displayed in the social media post. The officer inquired about real firearms in the home and was denied permission to search by the parent of the student, after being told there was a firearm in the home.
On Monday, November 18, 2024, a Firearms Restraining Order and Firearms Restraining Order Search Warrant was obtained for the student’s home. Mount Prospect Police Detectives, along with the Illinois State Police Firearms Investigative Unit, executed the warrant where multiple firearms were located. Both parents of the student have valid firearm owner’s identification cards. The firearms and facsimile firearms, including the Glock style BB gun, were removed from the home and inventoried at the Mount Prospect Police Department for safekeeping.
The Mount Prospect Police Department worked closely throughout this investigation with School District 57, who implemented their District Safety Protocols, to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff. The police department has also increased our presence at Lincoln Middle School to help students, families and staff work through a difficult and emotional situation.
We are thankful for the Lincoln Middle School students and their families who brought these posts to the attention of the School District and the Police Department.
— Mount Prospect Police Department
The investigation into the social media messages is still actively being investigated.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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