York officials: Incident with student no cause for community concern

York High School officials are trying to calm the community after rumors about an isolated incident with a student Thursday led to widespread concern in Elmhurst.

Spokeswoman Melea Smith said a student ran out of his fourth-period class for unknown reasons and led school officials on a foot chase through the campus. The student eventually was caught and turned over to his parents, but not before other students began texting various versions of the story to their parents.

Many of the accounts were inaccurate and based on hearsay.

"The kids are texting their parents and saying all kinds of wild things and it's simply not true," Smith said. "We did have a runner who we chased all over the school and we called the police to ask for their assistance in nabbing him."

Smith said the boy was caught near a second-story balcony overlooking the Commons area.

"We moved the kids out of the Commons area, which is near the cafeteria, to protect (the student's) privacy," Smith said.

No weapon was involved, officials said.

Principal Erin DeLuga emailed parents at 12:26 p.m. telling them "at no time was any student or staff member unsafe."

"In light of recent events, we understand the importance of communication and wanted to assure everyone that the situation has been handled in an appropriate manner," DeLuga wrote. "We appreciate everyone's concern."