Lake Forest police arrested an 18-year-old from Beach Park Tuesday in connection to alleged threats against people at Connections Academy East, a private school that provides academic and therapeutic programs.
Marshell Rockwell was held in lieu of $50,000 bail on charges of felony disorderly conduct after appearing in bond court Wednesday, according to a news release from the Lake Forest Police Department.
Police responded to Connections Academy East at 300 S. Waukegan Road after staff reported that they received an anonymous email with information indicating that Rockwell had threatened to harm others at the school, according to the release.
Rockwell and a parent were notified not to come to school, the release added, which was placed on a soft lockdown where instruction continued as normal but only students, staff and police were allowed inside.
“Detectives worked with staff to identify and interview numerous witnesses who confirmed that Rockwell had made both verbal and social media threats to harm others at the school,” the statement added. “Evidence was also uncovered (that) Rockwell had contacted several individuals in an attempt to purchase a firearm, although no gun was actually acquired.”
According to police, Rockwell was interviewed by detectives at his home in Beach Park, where he “admitted to officers he had attempted to purchase a firearm but denied intending to harm any students or staff at the school.”
Rockwell was taken into custody and charged with felony disorderly conduct, and at his bond hearing Wednesday, he was ordered not to attend or communicate with anyone from Connections Academy East and to refrain from using social media, according to the release.