Student Charged In Summit Hill Shooting Graffiti Case

FRANKFORT, IL — A Summit Hill Junior High School student faces charges in connection with threatening graffiti about a shooting involving the school, according to the Will County Sheriff's Office. The boy was charged Thursday with felony criminal defacement to state supported property and disorderly conduct. He was released to his parents.

According to the sheriff's office, the boy was picked up at around 8 a.m. Thursday, April 26. He was then questioned by Will County sheriff's detectives about the threatening graffiti, as well as "an unbstantiated and fictious email and social media post," the sheriff's office said in a statement. Although the email and the social media post weren't threatening to the schools or others, they are the reason for the disorderly conduct charge, authorities say.

No age was given for the boy. Despite the charges, the case is still under investigation, the sheriff's office said.

An individual has been taken into custody concerning the graffiti threatening a shooting that was found in a Frankfort school bathroom last week, according to Summit Hill District 161. Charges against the person are expected, the Will County Sheriff's Office said.

According to the letter from District 161 Supt. Barb Rains, which was sent to parents Thursday, the person was brought in Thursday morning by the Will County Sheriff's Office. The individual was taken into custody because of information provided by the school district, the letter stated.

No other details were given about the individual or what led to the person being taken into custody.

A school janitor discovered the school shooting-graffiti April 19, and Will County sheriff's deputies canvased the building and the campus but found nothing. An added police presence remained at the school Thursday and Friday, however.

Another piece of threatening graffiti was discovered April 7 at the junior high. School officials contacted the Will County Sheriff's Office about the writing, which also contained a cartoon character.

More Patch Coverage:

• Shooting Graffiti At Summit Hill School Poses No Threat: Cops
• Graffiti Threatening Shooting Found At Summit Hill Junior High
• More Security At Summit Hill School After Graffiti About Shooting

Will County Sheriff's Office investigators determined Monday that the graffiti didn't represent a danger to students and staff, according to district officials. But Rains said told Patch earlier this week that if sheriff's detectives find probable cause during their investigation, felony disorderly conduct charges will be filed against the suspect.

The district had increased security since the graffiti was discovered. Routine practices were "tightened" and an additional security camera was installed in a hallway of the junuor high school, Rains said.

No other threatening graffiti has been found at other District 161 schools, according to the superintendent.

Before charges were filed, Summit Hill School District 161 Supt. Barb Rains sent the following letter to parents Thursday:

Dear District Staff and Parents:

Will County Sheriff’s Office has taken a person of interest into custody this morning related to the graffiti incident at SHJH based on information provided to them by the school district. Will County indicated to us that criminal charges are being considered.

We are unable to share any further information because doing so may obstruct Will County’s process.

We will continue to work with Will County and will also take appropriate action.

Sincerely,
Barb Rains

Patch will countinue to update this story.

Summit Hill Junior High School (Image via Google Earth)