Vernon Hills HS Locked Down, TikTok Threat Deemed Not Credible

VERNON HILLS, IL — Police have deemed a threat made over TikTok regarding violence planned at Vernon High School as not credible.

Vernon Hills High School was placed in a soft lockdown Thursday as police investigated the threat. The lockdown has been lifted and classes are in session Friday, Mary Todoric, director of communications for District 128, told Patch.

On Thursday, District 128 officials sent an email to parents of Vernon High School students, alerting them to the threat and the lockdown. The message appeared on TikTok Wednesday night and "contained a threat that would take place at the school today," Denise Herrmann, superintendent for Community High School District 128, wrote.

The lockdown came as multiple law enforcement agencies across the Chicago area are monitoring reports of a TikTok challengethat has encouraged students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17.

Some districts say they have been "inundated" with questions about the social media school violence rumors and have responded in letters to parents and public statements in the days leading up to Friday.

According to some reports, the December challenge is one of several in a string of monthly challenges stemming from the social media platform.

In September, another challenge called "Devious Licks" encouraged raucous acts of vandalism at schools. To participate in the challenge, students and TikTok users shattered mirrors, stole soap dispensers, fire alarms and football field turf, and intentionally clogged toilets, all while filming the antics to post on TikTok.

Other reports indicate the rumor began as a way for students to skip school. In the Chicago area, Friday marks the last day before winter and Christmas break for many schools.

• TikTok December 17 Challenge Has Police, Schools On High Alert
  

District 128 school officials say the Vernon Hills Police Department determined there was no evidence the threat made over TikTok regarding violence at the school was credible. Police also recommended the classes continue and a soft lockdown be enacted.

A soft lockdown means students could not leave the building for open campus during lunch and only approved people were allowed into the building, according to Herrmann. The Vernon Hills Police Department had officers at the school as well Thursday and more District 128 staff was present in the halls.

District 128 allowed parents to pick up their students early if they wished, and allowed the absences to be marked as excused, according to District 128.

The Vernon Hills Police Department and Libertyville Police Department are working with District 128 to address any additional threats that may come up amid fears over the most recent TikTok challenge, according to school officials.

"Each of our school districts has a safety plan and lockdown procedures that contribute to maintaining a safe learning environment for students. School personnel regularly review those plans," Hermann wrote in an email to District 128 parents. "We also work in partnership with our local law enforcement teams to ensure we do everything we can to maintain the safety and security of our schools."

School officials are also reminding parents to talk to their children about the importance of reporting any threats they may hear or see.

"Please take this opportunity to have a conversation with your student about how any threat, even if it is shared as a 'joke' between friends, on social media, or at school, will be taken seriously and result in consequences both at school and with law enforcement," according to Hermann.