Deerfield High School Student Arrested On Unspecified Charge

DEERFIELD, IL — Police arrested a Deerfield High School student Thursday on unspecified charges, according to police and school officials.

Principal Kathryn Anderson told parents there is an active Deerfield Police Department investigation involving the incident.

"At no time were students and staff in any danger," Anderson said. "There are no additional details we can share at this time."

Thomas Keane, deputy chief of police, declined to say what charge, if any, has been filed against the student. The department "cannot make any comments on a juvenile case," he said.

Anderson's letter to parents said safety of students and staff was the administration's top priority.

"We know that we will never be faster than your student texting you or the posts that appear on social media," Anderson said in her email to parents.

"We will communicate with you when we have verified information," she wrote. "We will share additional information if it is necessary to do so."

School and police officials declined to comment on reports that a firearm was recovered in connection with the arrest.

At a joint meeting Monday in Highland Park of school boards and administrators from Township High School District 113, North Shore School District 112, Deerfield Public Schools District 109 and Bannockburn School District 106, board members suggested superintendents consider drawing up plans to hire a director of security who could serve all four districts.

The Bannockburn, Deerfield, Highland Park and Highwood area schools already have the same response protocol for emergency drills and are working together with the same local law enforcement agencies, officials said after the meeting.

No information about the status of any charges filed against the student was immediately available from the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.