Palatine High School student faces two felonies over gun found in classroom
Authorities said they charged a 15-year-old Palatine High School freshman with felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon on school grounds and disorderly conduct after a gun was found concealed in his belongings Tuesday morning at the school.
The student, whom Palatine police have not publicly identified, was taken to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago to await a court hearing.
The student indicated to school officials and investigators that he had the gun because he'd been receiving threats in the community, authorities said. Palatine police Wednesday said they were continuing to look into those threats.
In a letter sent to parents Tuesday, Principal Tony Medina said school officials were working closely with police to ensure the student does not return to Palatine High School.
Medina's letter credited "two alert staff members" with finding the gun wrapped in a sweatshirt the student had left at his desk about 11 a.m. Tuesday.