False Threat Called Into Wheaton North Was 'Swatting' Incident: Cops

WHEATON, IL — An individual made a false threat to Wheaton North High School Monday in what police are calling a "swatting" incident. The person called 911 around 9:30 a.m. and claimed to be heading to the school with a gun and explosives, intending to "kill everyone," an update from the City of Wheaton said.

School was not in session Monday, but some staff members and students were at the school and were evacuated after the threat was called in. Neighbors in a two-block radius of Wheaton North were advised to shelter in place and nearby roads were closed as police investigated the scene.

After the investigation, police confirmed that no explosives or armed persons were found inside the school.

In an update posted just before noon, police said other towns were targeted with similar "swatting" incidents that took place around the same time as the threat that was called in regarding Wheaton North. In such cases, a false threat is made to a facility with the intent of causing large numbers of police to respond.

A similar swatting incident took place in Orland Park at Carl Sandburg High School on Feb. 10.