Police Investigating Gun Threat at Timber Ridge Middle School

Timber Ridge Middle School was on soft lockdown Wednesday after police alerted school administrators to a possible threat posted online by a student.

District 202 Community Relations Director Tom Hernandez said Joliet police contacted Timber Ridge Principal Dean Kariotakis at around 9 p.m. Tuesday after discovering a social media post showing a Timber Ridge student holding what turned out to be a pellet gun, along with a threat directed at the school.

“We quickly kicked it into high gear,” Hernandez said of the district’s response to the incident.

Police searched the school, 2101 Bronk Rd., including the student’s locker, on Tuesday night, and quested the student in the photo as well as a second Timber Ridge student believed to be involved in the incident, Hernandez said.

The students — one male and one female — were not in school on Wednesday, according to Hernandez, who said threats “will not be tolerated,” and appropriate disciplinary action is being taken against both students. Police continue to investigate the incident and are looking into whether any other students were involved, he said.

He said the campus remained in a soft lockdown, which means classwork will go on as usual, as the police investigation continued Wednesday.

Kariotakis sent a Connect ED message to parents early Wednesday notifying them of the incident.

“Late last night, we learned from the Joliet Police that a picture of a Timber Ridge student holding what turned out to be a pellet gun, had been posted on a social media web site with threatening language directed at Timber Ridge,” the message said. “The Police helped us address the situation quickly last night. Our students and staff are safe and school is operating normally today. The student in the picture, as well as another student who was involved will not be in school today. They will both receive appropriate discipline. As well, several other students who may have also been involved may also be disciplined pending further investigation.”

The district said a letter with additional information was scheduled to be sent home with students on Wednesday.