CIVIC NEWS | Student Accused of Making Threats Directed at School

WILLOWBROOK HIGH SCHOOL JUVENILE CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced today that a male Willowbrook High School student who is out-placed for a portion of the school day to Menta Academy Midway in Chicago, has been charged with two counts of Disorderly Conduct (Class 4 Felony) for allegedly making threatening statements directed at Menta Academy Midway. The juvenile, who lives in Villa Park, appeared at a detention hearing yesterday afternoon where Judge Demetrios Panoushis ordered that he be placed on home detention with electronic monitoring. It is alleged that on February 1, 2023, while at Willowbrook High School, the juvenile, who is thirteen years-old, told a teacher “I’m going to shoot them b*****s up.” The teacher reported the incident to the Dean of Willowbrook High School. It is further alleged that when speaking to the Dean, the juvenile said “I’m going to f*****g shoot them; not this school, everyone at my other school.” Authorities at the school contacted the Villa Park Police Department who, following an investigation, contacted the State’s Attorney’s Office. “Any threat of violence aimed at a school will immediately be investigated and if found credible, will be charged accordingly,” Berlin said. “Teachers can’t teach, and students can’t learn if they are in fear for their safety while at school. I thank authorities at Willowbrook High School for alerting law enforcement to this incident as well as the Villa Park Police Department for their efforts. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Alyssa Rabulinski, Jaclyn McAndrew and Katharine Klosowski for their work in helping us keep our schools as safe as possible.” “As soon as our Villa Park School Resource Officer was alerted to the threat, he gathered law enforcement resources to bring about a safe resolution to the alleged threat,” Rivas said. “The law enforcement community in DuPage County is committed to assisting schools in creating safe spaces for teachers to teach and students to learn and thrive. We want to thank the swift action of our Villa Park School Resource Officer, Villa Park detectives and Villa Park officers. We would also like to thank the unwavering support of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and his office.” The juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 27, 2023, in front of Judge Panoushis. Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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