Police: Cary-Grove student charged for social media threats

A Cary-Grove High School student has been charged with felony disorderly conduct after police discovered he was responsible for several social media posts depicting violent acts, authorities said.

Cary police officers took Daniel Battaglia, 18, of Cary into custody Wednesday at the high school. He is being held at McHenry County jail pending a bond hearing and court date.

Police became aware of the threatening posts on Monday and initially perceived the threat was from a former student targeted at the high school. Investigators determined one of the posts was altered by overlaying violent messages to implicate the former student. The fabricated post then was shared through social media with several people and continued spreading heightening concerns within the school and community, police said.

Several school officials, law enforcement agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were involved in the investigation.

Authorities are encouraging the public to report any suspicious incidents to local law enforcement.