Des Plaines teen threatened school, police say

A Des Plaines teenager is accused of making online threats against the elementary school she once attended, police said Friday.

Esmerelda E. Vargas, 18, of the 1400 block of East Willow Avenue was charged with felony disorderly conduct last week following a three-month investigation.

Des Plaines police learned of the threat Sept. 9. Des Plaines School District 62 officials had received an anonymous tip about someone on the TikTok social media platform threatening to “shoot-up” North Elementary School.

Police investigators got subscriber information from TikTok and traced the network on which the threat was made to Vargas’ home, according to a news release.

Investigators subsequently searched the home and found no firearms.

Vargas was banned from all District 62 properties, police said.

As the investigation continued, police got a warrant for TikTok data and confirmed Vargas threatened violence at the school while speaking with another user, the news release said.

Vargas surrendered to Des Plaines police Dec. 30. She was charged and released, police said.