No Weapons Found In School Shooting Plot: Skokie Police

SKOKIE, IL — Two students planning a school shooting at a Skokie middle school had no known access to weapons, police said early Friday. The two boys, ages 13 and 14, were reportedly plotting an attack at McCracken Middle School, 8000 E. Prairie Road, to take place in the near future. Skokie police said McCracken officials were notified of the threat Wednesday by a student who learned she was a possible target of the attack.

Police said no weapons were found in connection to the incident. The teen offenders were no longer in custody of the Skokie Police Department as of early Friday, and the case has been referred to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office to determine what, if any, charges will be filed. Additional students suspected of being involved in the plan were interviewed and released to their parents after investigators determined they had no criminal involvement, police said.

Police declined to release details of the alleged plot but said the role of social media remains under investigation.

"The foremost concern of the Skokie Police Department is the safety of each student and the community," Officer Eric Swaback said in a news release. "Skokie Police Detectives have determined that this particular threat is no longer viable."

District 73.5 and middle school officials are cooperating with Skokie police on the investigation, police said.

Anyone with information on the school shooting plot is asked to call 911 immediately. The 24-hour Skokie Crime Tip Hotline is 847/933-TIPS (8477), and Text-A-Tip is available 24-hours a day by texting “Skokie” and your tip to 847411.

In December, police investigated another alleged school shooting threat at McCracken that turned out to be a hoax.

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