Minors Charged In 'Columbine' Threat Had Ammunition: Cops

MUNDELEIN, IL — The Lake County Sheriff's Office said two students from Fremont Middle School District 79 were charged Sunday with unlawful possession of ammunition after one of the juveniles sent threatening messages to students via social media, referencing the Columbine school shooting. Sheriff's officials said they received information on Thursday regarding messages sent to students at the Mundelein school.

Sheriff's deputies and detectives began an investigation and determined the messages were sent by one of the two 13-year-old students, who officials referred to as juvenile #1, from Round Lake.

According to sheriff's officials, detectives spoke to the juvenile and his parents at their home, and the student indicated he sent the messages as a joke. However, detectives discovered the juvenile had ammunition, and further investigation revealed was supplied by the second student from Round Lake, (juvenile #2), police said.

Although neither juvenile had any firearms in their possession during the investigation, officials said juvenile #1 stole a firearm from a family member a year ago, before throwing it into a body of water. Officials said the firearm was recovered by the family member.

Sheriff's officials said it doesn't appear the second juvenile took part in the threatening messages sent by the other. Both were arrested and taken to the Hulse Juvenile Detention Facility in Vernon Township.

According to Lake County Sheriff's Office Detectives, juvenile #1 was charged with disorderly conduct (for posting the threatening social media content), unlawful possession of ammunition and unlawful possession of a firearm (from last year's incident). Detectives said juvenile #2 was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition (for supplying juvenile #1 with the ammunition).

MORE: Mundelein HS Student Charged After Posting Bomb Threat: Police

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it's working closely with administrators from Fremont School District 79 regarding this investigation and there's extran police at the school as a precaution and to ensure students, staff and parents feel safe.

School officials released a statement Sunday, below:

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