Lake Zurich High School students detained after gun report
Two juveniles were held and the building was locked down for two hours after staff overheard a conversation about a weapon.
By Liam O'Connor ·
Two students were detained at Lake Zurich High School on Friday afternoon after a school employee overheard them discussing a firearm. The incident triggered a lockdown that kept students inside their classrooms for more than two hours before the building was cleared.
Lake Zurich Police Department dispatched officers to the school at 300 Church Street around 12:23 p.m. upon receiving a report of a possible student with a gun. Deputy Police Chief Colin Gaffney stated that officers arrived to find the facility already in lockdown. They quickly located and detained the two juveniles involved.
Superintendent Dr. Kelley Gallt emailed families just before 1 p.m. to confirm that a student had reported a potential weapon on campus to a teacher. Gallt noted that the teacher followed district protocols and notified first responders. She confirmed that no weapons were reported and that all staff and students were safe.
The school issued a second email stating that the lockdown had been lifted and the building was in secure mode. Officials reported that a full search of the building found no weapons. Gaffney confirmed that police did not find firearms on the students or anywhere on school property.
Students remained in their classrooms until approximately 2:45 p.m. when normal dismissal procedures began. The school planned a secure release process to allow parents to support students as they left, acknowledging the event as traumatic. Some parents on social media reported not receiving text alerts during the lockdown and said their children were still inside after the school claimed classrooms were cleared.
The two juveniles were released to their parents pending a referral to Lake County Juvenile Court. The police department maintains that the investigation remains active and open. Gaffney asked anyone with information to call the Lake Zurich Police Department at 847-719-1690, extension 6128.
District 95 officials did not respond to a request for comment on Friday.
