Cops: Reports of church shooting unfounded

Reports of gunshots at an Indian Creek church proved unfounded Thursday, but not before police responded and some area schools increased security as a precaution.

The early-afternoon investigation at St. Mary of Vernon Church, 236 Route 45, didn't turn up a shooter or a victim. A neighboring apartment complex was searched without any results, too, said Sgt. Christopher Thompson of the Lake County sheriff's office.

Police responded about 12:15 p.m. after a secretary at the church heard a loud bang that sounded like a gunshot and called 911, Thompson said.

Two secretaries and a maintenance worker were at the church at the time, said Susan Gray, the church's business manager.

Upon responding, police shut down Route 45 in the area. It was reopened to traffic about 1:30 p.m.

Additionally, the campus of Stevenson High School, which is in nearby Lincolnshire, was briefly shut down to outsiders, and the doors at Vernon Hills High School were locked as a precaution, representatives of both facilities said.

Although police found no evidence of gunfire, they don't doubt the secretary heard something.

"We have spoken to this person and there is no reason for us to disbelieve her claim," Thompson said. "However, we were unable to locate any physical evidence or independent witnesses that were able to confirm what she heard."

Lake County sheriff's deputies, Mundelein police and Vernon Hills police investigated.