UPDATE: (4:50 p.m.) — A 13-year-old boy was taken to the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center for bringing a stolen and loaded handgun to highschool.
That’s in keeping with Peoria County Sheriff Chris Watkins, who stated deputies have been referred to as to Dunlap Valley Middle School at 12:30 p.m. The homicide weapon was discovered within the boy’s backpack, which was in his locker.
Watkins stated the boy “introduced the gun to highschool to point out off to his mates, however stated he needed the gun to guard himself.”
The boy was booked right into a juvenile detention heart on prices of felony illegal use of a weapon, possession of a handgun by an individual underneath 18, and possession of a stolen firearm.
Watkins stated the gun was stolen in a theft in Peoria. The investigation up to now has discovered no proof that there was a plan to shoot up the varsity.
This story will likely be up to date.
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DUNLAP, Ill. (WMBD) – A handgun was found Tuesday in a locker at Dunlap Valley Middle School, the varsity district’s superintendent stated in an electronic mail obtained by WMBD.
Dunlap Community School District 323 Superintendent Scott Dearman stated nobody was injured within the incident and nobody was threatened.
An electronic mail from the varsity’s principal, Dustin Hess, was despatched simply after 1:15 p.m. and stated the varsity was conscious of an “apparent menace.” We are investigating the priority and have the state of affairs underneath management. The repeated menace has been contained and all college students are secure. ”
In a voicemail obtained by WMBD despatched to folks this afternoon, Mr. Dearman explains to them what occurred. He stated in a voicemail that two college students reported to the principal that one other pupil might have introduced a gun to highschool.
When the principal and college useful resource officer investigated, they discovered a handgun inside a backpack in a pupil locker. The weapon was by no means brandished and nobody was straight threatened, in keeping with the voicemail.
“However, we perceive that incidents like this are regarding, and we wish to guarantee you that we’re taking all needed steps to make sure the protection of everybody inside our faculty group,” Dearman stated. he stated.
The voicemail stated counseling and assist providers have been out there to anybody who wanted to course of this proof. There will likely be extra police presence at colleges than standard for the remainder of the week.
“Open communication is important to sustaining a secure and safe studying setting for everybody,” the voicemail stated. I’m grateful that you simply did.”
This is the second time in a yr {that a} homicide weapon has been discovered at Dunlap Middle School. On April 14, 2023, Peoria County Sheriff’s Office detectives have been referred to as to Dunlap Middle School on a report {that a} pupil had introduced a handgun to highschool.
When officers searched the backpack, they discovered an unloaded handgun and instantly referred to as police. The pistol was drawn. No handgun-related threats have been reported.
The 14-year-old boy was charged with possession of a handgun and brought to a juvenile detention heart.