Boy, 12, Accused Of Threatening To Blow Up Wheaton School

WHEATON, IL — A 12-year-old Edison Middle School student faces felony charges after he was accused of threatening to blow up the school.

Police say that on May 24, the boy asked a teacher, "has anyone blown up the school before?” He is further accused of saying he would be the first person to do it.

According to police, the boy asked the teacher whether there were police officers at the school and then rocked his chair back and forth, saying "shots fired" each time the chair touched the ground and made a clicking sound.

“School safety remains a top priority of my administration, and we will continue to be proactive in identifying students who are in need of services in order to prevent acts of violence,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Berlin added, “Students must know, however, that threats such as alleged in this case are no joking matter. Every threat involving a juvenile must be fully investigated by law enforcement and where appropriate, will turned be over to authorities in the juvenile justice system."

Wheaton Police Chief William Murphy said, “This is an excellent example of the partnership we have with CUSD200 in maintaining a safe school environment. Early intervention and open communication are essential in cases like this to ensure the safety of our children, teachers and staff."

The boy, who was released to his mother's custody after a hearing, is set to appear in court again on June 23.