Student Holding 'Handgun' Makes Social Media Threats: Mt Prospect PD

MOUNT PROSPECT, IL — Police removed multiple firearms Monday from the home of a 14-year-old Lincoln Middle School student who is accused of making several threats on a social media app. In one of the posts, the student reportedly posted a photo saying, "Don't come to school on Monday."

Police said they were alerted of the possible threat Sunday by the superintendent of Mount Prospect Public School District 57. In addition to the photo, the student had posted a video a few days earlier holding what police said appeared to be a handgun, while inside their home. The posts had been seen by other students at Lincoln Middle School, who reported them to their parents as well as the district through the "See Something, Say Something" online reporting tool.

Police responded to the home Sunday to investigate the possible threat. The student told officers the message was posted to be funny, and that the gun in the post was a BB gun, not a real one. That gun was retrieved by the student and shown to police, who determined it was a replica of a Glock style handgun, and resembled the one displayed in the social media post. Police inquired about other firearms in the home and were denied permission to search by the parent of the student after being told there was a firearm in the home.

On Monday, police obtained a firearms restraining order and firearms restraining order search warrant for the student's home. Mount Prospect detectives, along with the Illinois State Police Firearms Investigative Unit, executed the warrant. Police said multiple firearms were found in the home. Both parents of the student have valid firearm owner's identification cards, according to police. 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.

Police said they worked closely throughout this investigation with the school district, who implemented their district safety protocols "to ensure the safety and well-being of all students and staff." The police department has also increased its 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," police said in a news release, adding that the investigation into the social media messages is still being "actively" investigated.