'Spoof' Call Of Child With Gun In Tinley Tracked Around Country

TINLEY PARK, IL — A call to Tinley Park police about a child with a gun threatening self-harm has been deemed a "spoof," according to Chief of Police Matthew Walsh. The call had nearby Hilda Walker school on soft lockdown while officers searched for the child.

Walsh told Patch the department received a call that a 12-year-old had a gun and was threatening self-harm. Upon investigation, however, police found that the same anonymous call had been made to crisis centers around the country, including in Washington, Virginia and Maryland — saying it may trace back to Jackson, Mississippi, according to Walsh.

"I don't know who is behind this spoof, but we did our due diligence, and we don't believe this has any validity to it," Walsh said.

Police were initially investigating in the area of Union Creek Park, located along 19900 80th Avenue. Walsh had told Patch he believed there was no immediate threat to the public, but if a child did have a firearm, the department was taking precautionary measures while trying to find them.

Hilda Walker school was placed on soft lock down as police swarmed the area and used drones in an attempt to locate the juvenile, according to Walsh.

"This morning, we received an alert from the Tinley Park Police Department about police activity at the Union Creek skate park and walking paths. We immediately moved our Walker Intermediate students that were outdoors, like physical education classes, inside," Dr. Paul McDermott, Superintendent of Summit Hill School District 161 said in an announcement.

"All students and staff members remain inside the building at Walker. The doors are locked and visitors are restricted, however classes continue as usual. We call this a Community Alert. There has been no threat to students or staff inside the building," McDermott said.

An earlier post on social media indicated Frankfort Square Park District was also placed on soft lockdown; however, FSPD Executive Director Jim Randall told Patch no such lockdown had taken place at that school.