False Threats Against Palatine High School Made By Teens: Cops

PALATINE, IL — A former and three current Palatine High School students have been arrested and accused of making false threats against the school last week, according to police. The four juveniles range in age from 14 to 17, and they have been charged with counts ranging from disorderly conduct to obstructing a police investigation, Palatine police said in a statement released Wednesday.

Detectives began investigating potential threats against Palatine High School the night of March 4 after "disturbing statements " were posted on social media that led parents and officials to believe "a significant violent event" might happen at the school, according to police. The school had received reports that a former student intended to use guns in an attack on campus. Although those claims initially were called "unfounded rumors" by district officials, extra police officers were stationed at Palatine High School on Monday.

At the time, Township High School District 211 officials characterized the reports as "unfounded rumors," and police determined that there was no danger posed to students and staff at the school. Extra officers, however, were stationed at the high school.

RELATED: Rumors Pose 'No Direct Threat' To Palatine High School

Meanwhile, investigators continued looking into the false threats, according to police.

"After a thorough investigation, which involved the searching of multiple homes, conducting significant number of formal interviews and doing in-depth evaluations of social media and cellularphone accounts, Palatine Detectives were able to determine where the false information originated," police said in the statement.

The case now will be handled by the juvenile court system, according to Palatine police.

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