A student at Hinsdale South High School faces two felony charges after police said he brought a loaded gun to school on Nov. 21.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Darien Chief of Police Greg Thomas said in a news release the student, 16, was charged with one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon in Public – School, a Class 3 felony, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – Under 18, a Class 4 felony. At a detention hearing Friday, the student, of Willowbrook, was ordered to be detained until at least his next court appearance, the release stated.
According to the release from Berlin’s office, Hinsdale South officials were tipped off that a student had allegedly brought a loaded firearm, later identified as a 9mm Taurus GX-4 handgun, to the school. The juvenile was located later that day at the school and taken into custody without incident and taken to the Darien Police Department for questioning.
“There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for a 16-year-old boy to be in possession of a loaded firearm, particularly at a school, as alleged in this case,” Berlin said in the release. “My office takes any sign of potential violence involving a school very seriously. We are fully committed to the safety of our students, staff and school visitors and anyone suspected of the type of behavior alleged in this case will be thoroughly investigated and charged accordingly. I thank the Darien Police Department for their quick response in this case and their continued dedication to school safety as well as the authorities at Hinsdale South High School for their assistance and cooperation.”
The juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 2.
