Threat To School Investigated By McHenry Police, District 15

MCHENRY, IL — The McHenry Police Department said they responded to Parkland Middle School, 1802 N. Ringwood Road, McHenry, on Wednesday, Feb. 20 to speak with school officials about a student who made what police describe as an inappropriate school shooting-related comment to another student through the social media app Snapchat. Police said when the department became aware of the comment, the school's administration was immediately notified.

Police said a joint investigation into the incident was conducted and has been completed between the McHenry Police Department and McHenry Elementary School District 15, during which officials learned the student didn't have any weapons and did not have access to any weapons. There was no immediate threat to the students, school staff or to the community, police said in a news release, adding that the department, District 15 and Parkland School want to "assure parents, students and staff that all our community’s schools remain a safe environment." The McHenry Police Department said because the student was a juvenile, they can't comment further.

According to a release, the department commends the immediate action taken by Parkland School's administration, in addition to their cooperation and recognizing the seriousness of the student's comments.

"Parents and students are urged to inform the police department and school representatives about alarming behavior that has the potential to pose a risk to the community," the department said in a release.

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