Lockdown Ordered Amid Rumor Of Student 'Shooting Up' Lake Villa School

LAKE VILLA, IL — A soft lockdown has been ordered at Lake Villa District 41 schools due to "rumors" circulating regarding a student "shooting up" a school, school officials said Wednesday.

The rumors are "connected" to an actual incident that happened Friday when a 13-year-old boy at Palombi Middle School, 133 McKinley Ave., stole a staff members vehicle and drove it to the Rockford area. The teen is still missing and could be armed.

• Teen Who Stole Car May Have Gun, Is Still On The Run: Lake Villa PD

The car was found early Tuesday in the Rockford area, authorities said.

All District 41 buildings have been placed on soft lockdown Wednesday and police were at all schools when students arrived in the morning, according to District 41 officials. During a soft lockdown, the perimeter of the building is secured and exterior doors and windows are closed and locked.

Students can move through the school but activities, including outside recess, are cancelled.

After-school activities also may be cancelled and access to the buildings will be restricted until the alert is lifted, according to school officials.

More information is expected to be shared on the District 41 Facebook page Wednesday afternoon, school officials said.