York Student Hung Nooses Outside School: Cops

ELMHURST, IL — A York High School student is the one who hung two nooses on the top of metal bleachers in January during an informal game of adult soccer players at the school, police said Wednesday.

Shortly after the incident, the police issued a news release labeling the nooses as a possible hate crime. According to police, each noose had a message affixed to it, one reading, "Let them play!" and the other reading, "Here us now! Please!"

The adults removed the ropes themselves and took them away with the intent to give them to school administrators later, police said in their news release Wednesday. School administrators were contacted, and they informed Elmhurst police.

The nooses were put up between noon and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, police said.

According to the news release, the student indicated the intent was to draw attention to the mental health aspect of being unable to play sports during the pandemic. Based on the results of the investigation, school officials decided against pursuing formal criminal charges and, instead, addressed the matter administratively.

In the release, Linda Yonke, interim superintendent of Elmhurst School District 205, said the police department conducted a thorough investigation. It will be pursued as a school matter, which means it must be private under the law, she said.

"At the same time, we also want to acknowledge that the symbolism used in this incident, regardless of intent, invoked anger and fear in many people," Yonke said. "Please know that our first priority will always be the emotional and physical safety of our students and staff. District 205 will remain committed to equity and is highly invested in the social-emotional wellness of all students.”

A few weeks after the noose incident, Patch filed a public records request for the police report, but the police department declined to release the documents, citing an ongoing investigation. Patch issued another request last Thursday. The deadline has not passed for it to be answered.