Culprits Behind Old Quarry Middle School Clown Threat Identified

LEMONT, IL — Lemont police have pinpointed the source of a social media threat targeting Old Quarry Middle School students, administrators said.

Social media threats to Old Quarry Middle School and its students made by someone posing as "LemontClown" disclosed a list of eight students identified as "top targets." An investigation by Lemont police revealed that there were two separate and independent social media accounts from which the messages originated.

The accounts were created by two students. Both have been identified and will be subject to discipline by the school district and possibly charged criminally pending further investigation.

Principal John Billingsley was alerted by students on Wednesday that a threat had been posted against the school and a list of "top targets" of eight specific students. The threat mentioned a specific date of Friday, Oct. 7.

Police were immediately notified, said Superintendent Courtney Orzel. The district contacted parents of the students mentioned; there will also be additional police presence at the building the remainder of this week.

"As you may know, clown threats have recently been reported all over the nation," Orzel said. "Though all of the threats to date have been hoaxes, when it comes to safety, we take any potential threat to our students and staff seriously and will fully investigate the situation. The safety of our students and staff is our first priority. We will continue to monitor this situation closely with law enforcement and take all necessary precautions."

The Lemont Police Department believes there is no further threat to area residents and students, Orzel said in an email.

"Like many similar events occurring nationally, it is believed that these events are hoaxes; however, the Lemont Police Department and School District 113A take all threats seriously and thoroughly investigate each incident," she wrote. "As always, please report any known threats to the Lemont Police Department."

The threat is the most recent in the Southland. In New Lenox Tuesday, a 14-year-old student posted a threat to kidnap and kill students at the school. That student was questioned by police and told officers he only did it as a joke.