Police Arrest Teen Following Social Media Threat

WOODSTOCK, IL – Authorities in Woodstock arrested a teen for his role in sharing an alleged threat over social media on Tuesday morning, police said. Police learned of the social media exchange between numerous Woodstock North students and later determined a 17-year-old boy – who was also a student at the school – sent a photo over social media depicting a handgun with a "caption attached which could be construed as threatening," according to a news release from the Woodstock Police Department.

Detectives and the police department's school resources officer tracked down the teen and his guardian, conducted a comprehensive threat assessment and searched the boy's home, according to authorities.

Police learned the boy used a photo he found on the Internet and did not actually have a gun, or any other weapons, in his possession.

The teen, whose identity is not being released since he is a minor, has been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. He was released back into his guardian's custody.

Police are urging parents to discuss with children the effects of conducting alarming or disturbing actions.

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