Students Texted Bomb And Shooting Threats For 'Prank': Police

OAK LAWN, IL — Three students, one from Oak Lawn Community High School and two from Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, have been identified as those responsible for texting bomb and shooting threats to students at Oak Lawn schools. All three have been charged and referred to the Cook County Juvenile Justice system, police said. Officials said the students told police that they did it as a “prank.”

On Friday, Nov. 5, students at Oak Lawn Community High School reported to school authorities that they had received text messages threatening to blow up the school. The school dismissed classes for the remainder of the day. Students at Richards High School also reportedly received similar threatening text messages, as did Stagg High School in Palos Hills, although the charges against three students only concern the Oak Lawn schools.

Chief Jeff Cucio, of the Palos Hills Police Department, said there are no charges for the alleged Stagg Threats.

"I'm unaware of Oak Lawn's charges," Cucio told Patch.

Students received more bomb and shooting threats on their phones at Richards, Oak Lawn High and Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle on Nov. 8, Nov. 9 and Nov. 10. Schools operated on soft lockdown all last week.

Oak Lawn police, with assistance from the FBI, identified the students, a news release said. In addition to criminal charges, the students also face disciplinary action at their respective schools. In an email to students last week, principal Jeana Lietz said that if the perpetrator was discovered to be an Oak Lawn Community High School student, expulsion would be recommended to the District 229 school board.

According to police, the students “did not realize the seriousness of their actions, thinking it was only a prank.”

“We are asking parents to speak with their kids and let them know the consequences of their actions and pranks like these jeopardize school safety and can cause undue stress for their fellow students, teachers, and the community as a whole,” Chief Dan Vittorio, of the Oak Lawn Police Department, said in a statement. “Please check their phones and social media accounts. If they receive a threat, have them inform a school staff member. They should not forward to their friends.”

Vittorio also asked parents to not share any threatening text or social media messages received by their children with friends or post them on social media.

“This can create a panic, and gives the offenders the attention they are seeking. The Oak Lawn Police Department will continue to work with the school districts and address security matters,” Vittorio added. “By working together as a community, I believe we can provide a safe learning environment for our students.”

The police chief would not disclose the specific nature of the charges, only to say that the investigation was ongoing.