A person of interest is in police custody in connection with a northwest suburban school resource officer’s gun that went missing after he left it “unattended” in a school bathroom, the district announced Tuesday afternoon.
The update comes after a day without classes at Forest View Education Center in Arlington Heights on Tuesday, a decision made by administrators amid an investigation into the gun that went missing on Monday.
“After continued coordination with law enforcement, we can confirm that the Arlington Heights Police Department has a person of interest in custody. The police are continuing to narrow their search for the weapon, and law enforcement has confirmed that the weapon is not in the building,” Caiti Druger, Director of High School District 214, said in a statement.
The school will reopen on Wednesday, Druger said in the statement.
“We know this has been unsettling for students, staff and families. Please know that the decision to reopen was made carefully and in coordination with law enforcement,” Druger said.
As an additional precaution, Druger also said there will be an increased police presence at the school’s campus.
The school’s resource officer, who is also an Arlington Heights police officer, removed his gun from his holster while using the restroom just before students were dismissed for the day, authorities said. Shortly after students were released, the officer realized his firearm was missing.
Police immediately reviewed hallway surveillance images and saw a limited number of people had entered the bathroom the officer used when his gun went missing. The gun was not found after an extensive search of the building and school grounds, prompting administrators to cancel classes on Tuesday as the investigation continued.
In their release, the Arlington Heights Police Department expressed regret for the incident, describing it as “unfortunate and embarrassing.”
According to the school’s website, Academy at Forest View, located at 2121 S. Goebbert Rd, provides students instruction towards high school graduation credits in a smaller setting with more support for social-emotional learning. Specialized schools at the center include The Academy at Forest View, International Newcomer Academy, Vanguard School, Life, and the Young Adult Program.
