Caller Threatened Brookfield Zoo, Causing Lockdown: Authorities

BROOKFIELD, IL — Over 50 police officers responded Tuesday to the Brookfield Zoo after a person threatened to harm herself and others, according to authorities.

Emergency dispatchers received a report about 5:15 p.m. from a crisis intervention line, which indicated a caller had threatened to hurt herself and visitors at the zoo, according to zoo police Chief Mike Pendola, who spoke 8:30 p.m. at a press conference streamed on Facebook Live by WGN.

Authorities instituted a lockdown and directed visitors to shelter in place, Pendola said. Officers from neighboring jurisdictions helped clear the facility, working with zoo staff to ensure safety, according to Riverside Director of Public Safety Matt Buckley. The zoo confirmed in a tweet just after 8 p.m. that all visitors and staff had exited the premises.

“Our main priority obviously is safety of the visitors, the staff and our animal collection,” Pendola said. “There’s no active threats at this point.”

The FBI is involved in the case, which remains under investigation, according to Pendola.

The situation at the zoo followed a deadly mass shooting Monday during the Highland Park Independence Day parade, in which seven people were killed and dozens more were injured.