Bomb Squad Called After Loaded Guns Found In Student's Bedroom

WILMETTE, IL — Police assured parents there is no sign of any threats to public safety after a student was found with guns and a bomb detection unit was called in to sweep a middle school. Authorities received a call Sunday from a concerned parent at Wilmette Junior High School who had discovered loaded firearms in a child's bedroom, according to police. Wilmette police said officers showed up, collected the weapons and took the boy to a "secure facility for treatment."

An investigation revealed the child had been "experimenting" with potential explosive devices, according to Cmdr. Mike Robinson. Citing an abundance of caution, police and Wilmette Public Schools District 39 officials called in the bomb unit from the Cook County Sheriff's Office to conduct a sweep of the school. In a Sunday release, police said there was no indication of a threat against student or staff.

District 39 Superintendent Ray Lechner said the incident had a "connection" to Wilmette Junior High but there was no direct threat to the school. In a joint statement with police, he said activities had been cancelled Sunday night but the school was expected to operate normally Monday.

Two handguns, a shotgun and explosive-making materials were recovered, WLS reported, but police said no functional bomb was found. The mother of a 13-year-old found the weapons in her son's bedroom, sources told WBBM. The firearms were reportedly legally owned by a family member. No arrests have been made and no citations have been issued in connection with the incident.