A weapon scare at Thornridge High School in Dolton sent the campus into lockdown Thursday, ending with two students in handcuffs and a building-wide police sweep that rattled the school day but, officials say, followed safety protocol to the letter.
What officials say
Around 11:20 a.m., school administrators were alerted that someone had spotted what appeared to be a weapon magazine in the gym area. The school resource officer immediately contacted the Dolton Police Department, and multiple officers arrived to search the building. A weapon was ultimately recovered, and two students were taken into custody, prompting the school to move from a full lockdown to a soft lockdown for the remainder of the day, according to NBC 5 Chicago.
District response and safety protocols
Thornton Township High School District 205 said student and staff safety remained the top priority throughout the incident and praised the quick coordination between school staff, the school resource officer, and the Dolton police. The district points families to its Safe Schools Initiative, which outlines emergency-planning resources and guidance on working with law enforcement, as detailed by Thornton Township High School District 205.
Next steps for families
The two students remained in Dolton police custody as of Thursday, and authorities had not immediately announced any formal charges. The district urged families to keep an eye on official school communications for further updates and said it will continue working closely with law enforcement, according to NBC 5 Chicago.
