L-W Central Student, 14, Posted Clown Threat as Joke: Sheriff

NEW LENOX, IL — A 14-year-old Lincoln-Way Central student was just kidding when he posted an Instagram photo alluding to upcoming violence at the school, Will County Sheriff's police said Tuesday.

The photo was shared Monday by an Instagram user with the handle "lincolnwaycentralclowns" with the message, "Looks like a good school to kidnap and kill. Be prepared for us." The photo included hashtags of "aintclowninaround" and "thisfriday." It was circulated on social media, and officials alerted the Will County Sheriff's Department.

The post was tracked to a student, who was brought in for questioning on Tuesday. The teen stated that he, "had heard rumors about clowns being spotted on the trails, and with everything that has been going around about clowns recently, he did this as a joke. He did not think that anyone would take this seriously," the sheriff's department said in a release. "He did not intend on harming anyone."

The student does not have a prior disciplinary record, and was released to his mother pending further review by the Will County States Attorney's Office. He is also facing discipline from the school district.

The "threat" wasn't the first against a suburban school, as Plainfield South High School administrators this week fielded concerns of a photo that shows someone in a clown mask in front of the school. That post was determined to be a hoax, with even @IllinoisClown Tweeting that he "will never visit any schools. Students are spreading these rumors, hoping for a day off."

"I would like to emphasize to parents and students that when it comes to safety, we fully investigate and react to any concerns that arise," wrote Lincoln-Way Central Princial Dr. Steve Provis wrote. "We take all potential threats seriously. The safety of our students is our top priority."

The sheriff's department advised the public that they should be careful about what they share on social media.

"People need to understand the consequences of their actions especially when it involves threats made to a school," the department said in a release. "Unfortunately in today’s day and age, things like this cannot be taken lightly."

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