Richland County’s State’s Attorney, Chris Vaughn, recently confirmed the investigation of four separate school shootings. The threats from Monday have led to the arrests of 2 minors, and both are now facing class 4 felony charges.
Courtesy of WTHI
Olney, Ill. (Jon Swaner; WTHI) – The Richland County State’s Attorney confirms police are looking into four separate school shooting threats that have been made, all since Monday.
State Attorney Charles Vaughn says two juveniles have been arrested for making Monday’s threat, which was posted at Richland County High School.
Both will be charged with class 4 felonies for “threat of violence, death, or bodily harm directed against persons at a school” and have their cases heard in juvenile court.
Vaughn says neither suspect has a history of violence, and both made what appears to be “a poorly constructed jokes.”
From there, Vaughn says it appears three “copycat” threats have been made.
The second threat came Tuesday, also at the high school.
Vaughn says police believe the suspects arrested for making Monday’s threat have been ruled OUT as suspects in this case.
Someone found the third written school shooting threat inside a women’s restroom at the Olney Walmart on Tuesday night.
Then just this morning (Wednesday), a fourth written threat was left in a women’s restroom at the high school.
Vaughn says Olney and State Police are investigating and taking these threats very seriously.
“The Olney Police Department strongly advises that private individuals refrain from harassing the juveniles and/or any family members on social media or by any other means.
Any harassment or threats made will be taken seriously by law enforcement,” Olney Police stated in a press release.
We’ll have more information for you if any updates are provided to us.