Police: Student again the target of 'disparaging racial and threatening comments'

Huntley police are investigating a complaint of "disparaging racial and threatening comments" made against a student - who previously had been threatened by a schoolmate - at Marlowe Middle School in Lake in the Hills.

Last month, a Marlowe student posted a threatening video on social media and earlier directed racial slurs against a student who again was threatened Sunday, police said.

The video showed the threatened student's neighborhood and school with a voice saying, "They're all dead." After a parent reported the video, authorities locked down Marlowe and another school on the Reed Road campus Oct. 19.

The juvenile student accused of making those threats was charged with disorderly conduct and a hate crime and no longer attends Marlowe, said Dan Armstrong, spokesman for Huntley Community School District 158.

Authorities could not confirm Wednesday whether the person who made the latest threat via Xbox Live is the same teen charged in the earlier case.

"The message was actually received at the victim's home," Huntley Police Deputy Chief Michael Klunk said. "The victim is the same victim as the earlier Marlowe incident. Huntley Police take matters such as this extremely serious and will take appropriate actions to maintain the safety and well-being of our community."

Investigators have conducted several interviews, executed a search warrant at a home in Huntley, and are seeking additional information. No charges have been filed, and the case remains an active investigation in cooperation with the Lake in the Hills Police Department since it possibly involves current or former students of schools within both communities.

Marlowe administrators have addressed bullying prevention, appreciating differences in others, and reporting threatening or inappropriate behaviors with students through regular lessons in advisory classes.

An anti-bullying speaker also addressed students at assemblies earlier this month.

A student leadership team was created earlier this year and has met regularly with school administration to discuss issues of school culture, according to Principal Henry Soltesz.