Mass Violence Threat Intercepted By FBI: Shorewood Police

SHOREWOOD, IL — Police said a vague internet post threatening a "mass casualty incident" in Shorewood was found by FBI surveillance software Wednesday morning, prompting federal authorities to notify Shorewood police. The threat was posted to an "anonymous social media site" and reposted to Twitter, according to police.

"Due to the lack of specific information or intentions of the poster, the Shorewood Police Department decided to act with an abundance of caution," police said. Extra manpower was deployed to Shorewood schools and other nearby sites to make sure students were protected, police said.

School officials were also notified, and measures were taken "to be extra vigilant for any suspicious behavior." Shorewood police also made other nearby police departments aware of the threat.

"Since this threat was posted anonymously, it will take time to verify the source," police said. "The Shorewood Police are investigating this along with the FBI" to identify the person who posted the threat.

Anyone with information on the threat is asked to contact Shorewood police at 815-725-1460.

Troy School Superintendent Todd Koehl sent a letter to parents on Wednesday morning informing them about a general threat of violence, which prompted school officials to hold indoor recess at the district's elementary schools.

According to Koehl, Shorewood police received a "general threat of violence in Shorewood," which prompted police and school officials to put all buildings on alert. "We will be monitoring all people coming and going to our building," Koehl's message stated.

"We will be holding indoor recess at the elementary schools. Both Shorewood and Joliet police departments are aware of the threat," he wrote. "At this time, we do not have any additional information."

A similar email was also sent to parents in Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201. "There was no reference to schools and there is no reason to believe the threat is credible, but we take all such threats very seriously," the email said.

During an interview with Joliet Patch, Koehl praised the Shorewood Police Department for relaying information to him about the threat. "They were really quick in notifying us. It's really a vague threat," Koehl told Patch. "It's a low-level threat."