School Threat Rumor Reported At Plainfield Middle School

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield police this weekend shared a message from a District 202 principal about a "a non-specific threat of school violence" at John F. Kennedy Middle School. As with several other rumored threats against District 202 campuses this school year, Principal AJ Hundal said there was "no credible evidence to substantiate any rumors."

Even so, the rumored threat has prompted an investigation by Plainfield police and school officials, and "Plainfield Police will have a visible presence on Monday as a precaution," Hundal said.

While the threat is not believed to be credible, anyone who has information on the incident is asked to call the Plainfield Police Department at their non-emergency number 815-436-2341.

"At this point, there is no credible evidence to substantiate any rumors," Hundal said in the message to parents. "If such rumor is confirmed, that fact will be shared."

The unspecified threat rumor is far from the first this school year. Several times this year, the district has investigated rumored threats at several different campuses. In September, as rumors of "creepy clowns" circulated, Superintendent Lane Abrell urged parents to be cautious before sharing or posting on social media about unsubstantiated threats.

"I strongly encourage you to be very cautious about rumors you hear or see on social media about 'creepy clowns,'" he said at the time.

A hoax threat at Plainfield South High School around Halloween also prompted a beefed-up police presence, and at Plainfield Central, a teen posted a threat against the campus on Twitter — and later admitted to doing so in the hopes of getting a day off school. The teen in that case did not have any weapons and didn't take any steps to carry out the threat, said police, who tanked those who reported the alarming Twitter post to authorities.

"We would like to thank the individuals who relayed this threat to the police and school officials," Plainfield police said at the time. "This is an excellent example of the 'If you see something, say something' motto that helps law enforcement investigate and prevent violence in our schools and communities."

Another unfounded social media rumor of violence was reported in early September at Plainfield Central, and in early October, an out-of-state social media threat prompted fears at Plainfield North.

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