No Ongoing Threat At Holmes Middle School After Lockdown: Officials

WHEELING, IL — District 21 school officials on Thursday said that the Airsoft BB-style pistol that was reported to be at Holmes Middle School was found not to be there, but instead, had likely been at the school the previous day and or late last week.

In a video announcement released by the district on Thursday, District Superintendent Michael Connolly and Holmes principal Liz Richards said that several students were interviewed after a report of a weapon was reported to Richards around noon on Tuesday.

As a result, the school was placed on lockdown as Wheeling Police investigated the report. Police said at the time that no students were in danger and later reported that the weapon that was believed to be at the school was an Airsoft gun and not a real weapon.

In the video, Richards said that no weapon was found on Tuesday and that school officials were able to release students in a controlled way. Once police determined that no weapon was on campus, Richards said the school transitioned from a hard lockdown to a shelter-in-place and that classroom activity resumed at around 1:30 p.m.

Students were not, however, to collect their belongings unless supervised by school officials. District 21 school buildings were closed on Wednesday for the Jewish holiday and classes resumed on Thursday.

“There is no ongoing or wider threat to Holmes Middle School at this time,” Richards said in the video which was posted to the district’s website on Thursday. However, Richards said the decision was the result of some “very poor decisions” made by individual students at Holmes.

“This behavior will simply not be tolerated and those responsible are being held accountable for their actions,” Richards said in the video. “Our top priority is the safety of all students and staff at Holmes Middle School and we will continue to take whatever steps necessary to ensure that our school remains a safe place to learn and grow.”

Connelly said that the investigation determined that several students either saw or were aware of the gun’s presence on campus on Friday. However, staff members did not see the Airsoft weapon and were not made aware of it.

He said school officials understand the difficult situation students are placed in when they witness bad behavior by fellow students. He said officials are deeply aware of the pressure students face to keep quiet about behaviors and to “not be a snitch.”

However, he said students must report behavior or potential situations that jeopardize the safety of students and staff.

Connolly said the decision to place the school on lockdown on Tuesday and to conduct an investigation was in line with the district’s crisis plan. He said that coordination with Wheeling police protected the health and safety of students and staff members.

Connolly said police acted in a “calm, efficient and professional manner” during the entire situation on Tuesday.

“This type of incident is why we work closely with first responders in each of the municipalities we serve,” Connolly said in the video. “It’s why we maintain comprehensive crisis plans, why we train staff and why we practice with students. It is a deeply unfortunate reality in which we all live.”

On Thursday, school counselors were made available to provide additional support to students after Tuesday’s incident. Support will be made available to students and staff in the coming days, Richards said.

Connolly said he "deeply regrets" the stressful situation that took place on Tuesday and that the district will continue to do everything it can to prevent any crisis situation in the district.