Tinley Park Teen Charged With Felony After School Shooting Threat To Central Middle School: PD

TINLEY PARK, IL — A Tinley Park teen faces a felony charge after a threat of a shooting at Central Middle School in Tinley Park, police said Thursday.

The potential school shooting threat made against the Tinley Park school Wednesday was determined to not be credible, officials said.

Tinley Park police said early Wednesday afternoon they had an individual in custody, Village Manager Pat Carr confirmed, and as of Thursday evening, that individual was identified as a teenager charged with felony disorderly conduct, threat to a school building or persons.

"Tinley Park police were notified of the post, and a subsequent investigation by detectives identified the teen responsible," police said Wednesday. "Police took the teen into custody later that day and transported them to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center."

Administrators said police were on campus Thursday as a precaution.

"The Tinley Park Police Department takes all threats involving our schools seriously and will thoroughly investigate any threat made against students, staff, or school facilities," said Tinley Park Police Chief Tom Tilton.

The threat had been circulating on TikTok Wednesday, with screenshots shared on other social media, as well. The message read: "Hey guys I wanna let you know if you go to central middle school at 10 a.m. I will be coming and shooting the school I have a 6th grader a gun and 7th and 8th they wanted to join so yeah."

Tinley Park police were "immediately contacted and conducted an investigation," Principal Dr. Don Hantson said in an email to parents.

"Based on their investigation, there is no imminent threat to students or staff at Central Middle School," Hantson said.

"We want to assure our families that we take every threat seriously. The safety and security of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We will continue to work closely with the TPPD and respond promptly and thoroughly to any information concerning the safety of our school community."

Hantson said students' and parents' prompt reporting of the statement was essential in addressing it.

"The immediate reporting of this statement by our students and families was critical to our ability to work quickly alongside the TPPD, investigate the situation, and ensure the safety of our school community," Hantson said. "We encourage everyone to continue reporting concerning statements or activity to school administration or law enforcement rather than sharing or amplifying them on social media."

Hantson said that action will be taken against anyone who makes threats against the school.

"We also want to be clear that individuals who make threats against our school or school community will be held accountable," he said. "Such actions may result in both school disciplinary consequences and consequences through law enforcement, as appropriate."

Police on campus Thursday are as an "additional layer of precaution."

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