Anti-Semitic Bomb Threat Found At Wilmette Middle School

WILMETTE, IL — An anti-Semitic threat discovered in a bathroom at a Wilmette middle school prompted a sweep by police and a bomb-sniffing dog this week, according to police and school officials. The search did not turn up any suspicious items and the investigation is continuing.

A staff member at Wilmette Junior High School contacted police around 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday to report that a student had discovered a bomb threat written on a bathroom stall. It included "anti-Semitic language and graffiti" and was signed with the name of student at the school, Deputy Chief Patrick Collins said in a release.

Although it did not appear from an initial investigation that the bomb threat was credible, police called in a "precautionary dog search" of the school "out of an abundance of caution," according to a Wednesday afternoon joint message from District 39 Superintendent Ray Lechner and Police Chief Kyle Murphy.

The initial communication made no mention of the hate speech that accompanied the bomb threat, Lechner acknowledged in a follow-up message the next day.

"Unfortunately, hateful anti-Semitic language and graffiti appeared along with the bomb threat," Lechner told parents. "I know many of you were unhappy that we did not address this in yesterday's email."

While the written threat required immediate notification, he said, the "hate graffiti component is a student matter, which requires thorough investigation. We acknowledge this process could take several days to fully address."

Once the investigation into the graffiti was complete, Lechner assured parents the school would take appropriate disciplinary action through a confidential process. He said the district attempts to get information to parents in a timely manner, even when it cannot immediately provide all the details.

Officers carried out an additional search of the building Thursday, which confirmed there was no threat, police said. There will be an increased police presence at the school, as police and school officials continue to investigate the threat, according to Collins. The deputy chief encouraged families to speak with their children about how such behavior creates anxiety and disruption to the community.

At a previously planned school assembly Thursday, Wilmette Junior High Principal Kelly Jackson reassured students that the school is a safe and inclusive community, according to the superintendent's message.

"Students were encouraged to be 'upstanders' and to report any concerns to adults," Lechner said. "Students were reminded of the ways they can anonymously report issues or concerns."

Lechner, who is retiring at the end of the month after 20 years at the district, told parents the district would strive to "more fully address instances of hate in our school community."