Suspicious package at Lake Zurich High was a camera case

The suspicious package found this morning outside Lake Zurich High School turned out to be an empty video camera case, police confirmed.

The case prompted a huge response that included a brief lockdown at the school, as well as investigations from police and the Waukegan Fire Department's bomb squad.

“I guess it's the day and age we live in,” said Jean Malek, director of communications for Community Unit School District 95.

It all started at 5:59 a.m., when Lake Zurich police were called to the high school when a parent dropping a child off spotted the suspicious package on the sidewalk near the main entrance of the school, according to police. The case was found just off the circle drive of the upper parking lot.

Police ran a preliminary investigation that involved interviewing the students and coaches already at the school but could not determine who left the package there, said Cmdr. David Bradstreet.

The bomb squad arrived at 8:24 a.m. to assess the light blue, hard shell case and the circumstances surrounding its arrival. Authorities later determined that the object in question was an camera video case, officials said.

Police continue to investigate the case's origin and the school's surveillance of the area. They ask that anyone with information call the criminal investigations division at (847) 719-1695.

During the investigation, students were allowed in the school through one door and were sent to the cafeteria for shelter with other staff members.