On August 26, 2018, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office received information that an individual posted threatening messages on a social media application. The messages were sent to several Fremont Middle School students and referenced the Columbine school shooting.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies and Detectives initiated an investigation and determined the messages were sent by a Fremont Middle School student, a juvenile, 13-years-old, of Round Lake (juvenile #1). Sheriff’s Detectives responded to the juvenile’s home and spoke with the juvenile and his parents. The juvenile indicated he sent the messages as a ‘joke,’ however, detectives found him to be in possession of ammunition.
Further investigation revealed a second juvenile, also 13-years-old, of Round Lake (juvenile #2), provided juvenile #1 with the ammunition.
During the investigation it was learned approximately one year ago, juvenile #1 stole a firearm from a family member. After stealing the firearm, the juvenile threw it into a body of water. The firearm was recovered shortly thereafter by the family member it was stolen from.
Neither juvenile #1, nor juvenile #2 were found to be in possession of any firearms during this investigation. At this time, it does not appear juvenile #2 participated in the threatening messages sent by juvenile #1.
Both juveniles were arrested and subsequently transported to the Hulse Juvenile Detention Facility in Vernon Township. Detectives petitioned/referred the following charges:
Juvenile #1:
Disorderly Conduct (for posting the threatening social media content)
Unlawful Possession of Ammunition
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (from the incident approximately one year ago)
Juvenile #2:
Unlawful Possession of Ammunition (for supplying juvenile #1 with the ammunition)
As a precaution, and to ensure students, staff, and parents feel safe, there is an extra police presence at Fremont Middle School. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is working closely with administrators from Fremont School District 79 regarding this investigation.