A relative is being credited with thwarting a potential school shooting after restraining a family member who had planned to carry out an attack, Will County authorities said Saturday morning.
According to the Will County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the 2400 block of Helmar Lane in Plainfield Township at around 12:50 p.m. on Friday regarding a suicidal subject. Authorities learned a family member discovered the juvenile relative was armed with a gun, and then dialed 911 while pinning the juvenile down.
A preliminary investigation revealed the juvenile was headed to carry out a shooting at the nearby Grand Prairie Elementary School when the relative intervened. Deputies recovered a Glock handgun as well as a backpack that contained multiple loaded magazines, knives, an accelerant, gloves and other items.
Police said “appropriate measures” were taken at all Plainfield School District 202 facilities following the incident, which included an increased law enforcement presence. The juvenile was taken to an area hospital after making suicidal and homicidal statements to emergency personnel.
As of Saturday morning, the investigation was ongoing, and no charges had been filed.
