Kids with toy guns prompt emergency response in Glen Ellyn

In perhaps a sign of the anxiety created by the Northern Illinois University shootings, a couple children playing with toy guns triggered a heavy police response Friday morning in Glen Ellyn.

Responding to a 911 call, officers in four squad cars arrived at Hadley Junior High School and found two children outside with a video camera and "obviously toy guns," Glen Ellyn Deputy Police Chief Bill Holmer said.

Holmer said it doesn't appear the two youths were re-enacting the NIU shooting. However, authorities didn't watch footage from the video camera.

Authorities say they believe the youths were making some sort of home movie while playing on a mound of snow at the southwest corner of the Hadley parking lot.

"There was absolutely nothing to it," Holmer said.

That didn't stop Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 officials from sending out an e-mail alert to parents to let them know there was no danger related to the police presence.

The youths involved with the police call weren't Hadley students. They attend Glen Ellyn's St. Petronille School, which didn't have classes Friday.

Glen Ellyn police discussed the incident with the St. Petronille students and their parents. No further police or legal involvement is expected Holmer said.

A District 41 spokeswoman didn't respond to interview requests Friday.