Photo Of Gun In Homewood-Flossmoor Classroom Launches Investigation

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Flossmoor police are investigating a social media post that depicted a photo of what appeared to be a gun in a classroom that was sent to school administrators on Tuesday night.

In a message to district parents, Homewood-Flossmoor school officials said that the social media post did not include a threat of any sort but police investigators determined that the photo was taken inside a classroom at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School.

On Wednesday, principal Clinton Alexander wrote in a message to parents that the weapon pictured in the photo is a plastic airsoft BB gun and that at no time were students or staff at the school in danger.

Alexander said that the student who brought the weapon to school has been identified and that appropriate disciplinary action is taking place.

As a precaution, school officials said that Flossmoor Police would have an increased presence at the school on Wednesday.

"We appreciate the swift response of Flossmoor Police to assure the safety of our school community," Alexander wrote.

School officials praised the person who brought the post to the attention of school administrators saying the person “acted as we would hope. They saw something concerning and immediately reported it to the school.”

Alexander added: In a time with heightened concerns related to school safety, I ask again that you reinforce with your children the lessons being taught at school about social media use. I also ask that you monitor closely your child’s social media presence.

"Posts that allude to violence or that can be construed as a threat are taken even more seriously by law enforcement, school administration, and others viewing posts — even if malintent is not the true purpose of their message. Discernment about what students post or share is a good digital citizenship lesson related to any type of social media post."