NLPD Provides Few Details On Movie Night Incident With Possible Gun

NEW LENOX, IL — New Lenox police responded Wednesday to a report of a juvenile who was possibly armed during Movie Night in the Commons, which was attended by several hundred people.

The NLPD posted Thursday on its Facebook page that officers were initially made aware of a report that a 13-year-old male was walking around with what appeared a BB gun.

NLPD Deputy Chief Micah Nuesse said officers made the determination that the weapon in question was a BB gun and not an actual firearm based on the information the reporting child told them.

Nuesse could not say why more serious preventative action was not taken, such as evacuating the crowded area until the juvenile could be found or until the type of weapon was confirmed and the level of threat was determined.

In an email to Patch, Nuesse wrote:

"Information was brought to our attention by one juvenile, who indicated that another juvenile may have a BB gun in his waistband. We had personnel on scene prior to obtaining this information. Not knowing the location of the juvenile or what was in his waistband, we immediately requested additional units to the area and began an investigation. There was never a direct threat and again, it was one complaint from one juvenile and we took the matter very seriously. The juvenile was located, did not possess a firearm, the scene and all in attendance were secure throughout."

The juvenile was eventually found, and a BB gun was recovered from some bushes, police said.

Police said that the juvenile was "cited," but would not say what specifically he was cited for.

Police said the boy's mother came to the scene and both cooperated with police.

"The issue was resolved on scene," NLPD said in its Facebook post.

NLPD said its investigators conducted research of prior contacts with the juvenile and a search of his social media activity. Those investigations have not raised any other causes for concern at this time, according to police.

Police would not say what prior contacts with police the juvenile may have had.

Nuesse said the 13-year-old boy was "from the area," but declined to say from where specifically.

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann took to Facebook Wednesday night to attempt to quell rumors on social media about the incident, but had little to report at that time.

Baldermann wrote that an ambulance was called to the Commons for "a minor medical incident," and "an incident with a juvenile that the police are investigating."

"Obviously, due to recent events, there is heightened awareness and understandable concern, especially when children are attending an event," Baldermann wrote. "Again, at no time was there any indication that the safety of those attending the event tonight were in jeopardy.

"This is all the information I have at this time," Baldermann concluded. "The police will release a statement when they've concluded their investigation."