Text Messages With Shooting Threat 'Not Meant To Be Taken Seriously'

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Police have identified a student as the source of text messages about a potential shooting at Highland Park High School, city staff announced.

Two students received messages "indicating the threat of a shooting at HPHS" on Wednesday night and reported it to school staff around noon on Thursday.

Police were immediately notified and dispatched investigators to the school. Police also increased patrols around all schools in town, although the threat was specific to the high school.

On Friday, investigators figured out which student was responsible for the message, staff said in a statement.

"The student told investigators that the messages were not meant to be taken seriously," it said.

"Preliminary investigation indicates that the student did not have the intent and did not possess the means to carry out the threat in the text messages."

Disclosing only that police "have made the appropriate referral," Highland Park city staff declined to say whether the student was charged or with what offense, suggesting that the Juvenile Court Act prohibits them from doing so.

However, it is routine for other jurisdictions throughout the state to disclose what charges are filed, as well as the age and sex of defendants in juvenile court.

The threatening text messages came just one day after another local public school received its third threat in four school days on Tuesday.

After Red Oak Elementary School was mentioned by a prominent right-wing social media account, it was the subject of a series of non-credible bomb threats.