Threat Deemed 'Non-Credible' At Richards High School

OAK LAWN, IL — A shelter-in-place order was lifted at Richards High School after a threat found on Instagram was found to be non-credible by Oak Lawn police.

The threat was not made against the school, but it was enough for Richards officials to have students stay put for a while police investigated. Extra officers have been put into place at the high school as a precaution.

"We are investigating an Instagram threat that was discovered by a student," said Div. Chief Gerald Vetter, of the Oak Lawn Police Department. "We have officers at the school for safe measure. The post was not sent directly to any student or staff member."

The threat was cleared in time for Richards students to go to lunch in the cafeteria. Text messages, shared with Patch by a parent, indicated students' frustrations with the lock-down orders. Since students returned to school in the fall after long periods of remote learning, Richards, Oak Lawn Community, Reavis and other high schools in the area have been bothered by social media and texted threats that have disrupted classes.

"Oh my god I'm done with this."

"Ah hell nah."

A Richards student notified administrators after seeing another student's threat on Instagram. After the school was cleared, Richards principal Mike Jacobson sent the following message to families:

"The investigation into the threat was deemed non-credible by the Oak Lawn Police Department. Students have resumed their normal schedule. Thank you so much for your patience and trust. If there are updates to this situation, we will email them to you. "