School Gun Threat Circulating Online Was 'Hoax,' Geneva Police Said

GENEVA, IL — A school gun threat found circulating online Thursday was determined to be a hoax, Geneva police determined.

Officers were notified at 9:18 a.m. by a Geneva middle school parent about a gun threat being reposted via the Ring app. The department's school resource officer was notified right away and began verifying the threat.

The Geneva Police Department partnered with the St. Charles Police Department and Geneva Community Unit School District 304 to determine the threat "appears to be a report of a threat made last school year," according to a news release.

"That original threat was thoroughly investigated and found to be a hoax," police said, adding it was consistent with other unsubstantiated threats to middle and high schools throughout the country in recent years.

Police said there is no active, verified threat of violence at any Geneva school. Officers have been providing extra patrol at all Geneva schools throughout the day, and out of an abundance of caution, additional officers were posted at both Geneva middle schools at dismissal Thursday "knowing these threats are unsettling to the community."

Geneva schools were already in session when the police department was notified of the threat, and all normal school operations continued as scheduled.

Officials reminded the community to "immediately call 911" to report all threats of violence.