An 18 year-old Skokie youth is facing felony weapons charges after they allegedly brought a loaded handgun to Evanston Township High School on Wednesday, authorities said.
The student was charged with felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, no FOID and felony aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a person under 21, police said Thursday. They said the student is scheduled to appear in holiday bond court on Nov. 11, at 26th Street and California Avenue in Chicago
“The investigation does not reveal there was an active shooter incident afoot,” said commander Ryan Glew.
He said the ETHS safety team got a tip through the school’s “Acknowledge, Care, Tell” system that the suspect had a gun. They were located and taken to a Dean’s office, said Glew. He said when officers tried to search, the student started acting non compliant which confirmed officers suspicion that they were armed, and that officers found a loaded Taurus G2 handgun with 12 bullets in their pants.
Officers were able to take possession of the weapon and no one was injured in the incident.
In a statement on its website on Wednesday, ETHS said school officials have no knowledge of any threat or any danger to students or staff due to the report of the gun.
The statement said that the district will continue to work with the Evanston Police Department as they investigate and that school officials have been in touch with the student’s family.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff are a top priority at ETHS. Students are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to an ETHS staff member, or to use the ETHS or EPD anonymous Text-A-Tip message lines,” the statement said. “Please be assured that we continue to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our students and staff at ETHS.”
Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.