UPDATE - 11:58 A.M.:
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, the Wheaton Police Department was dispatched to Wheaton North High School after an individual called 9-1-1 stating that they were armed with a firearm and explosives and they were walking into Wheaton North High School with the intent to kill everyone.
Wheaton Police and numerous other law enforcement agencies immediately responded to the area to secure the building, evacuate any individuals and conduct a systematic search of the school. District 200 classes were not in session today. The Wheaton Police Department did not find any armed individuals or threats within the building.
Numerous other municipalities received similar threats today in a similar timeframe, and Wheaton Police are classifying this as a “swatting” incident in which a false threat is called in to draw a large law enforcement response to a particular location. The Wheaton Police Department Investigations Unit will continue to actively investigate this incident.
As an added safety measure, the Wheaton Police Department will have an increased presence outside of Wheaton schools tomorrow when school is in session.
We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation today as we responded to this situation.
UPDATE - 10:45 A.M. - Police are continuing to investigate the threat called in referencing Wheaton North High School and will work to confirm there is no credible threat. However, similar incidents called in at other locations outside of Wheaton indicate this may be an incident known as "swatting," in which a false threat is called in to draw a large law enforcement response to one location.
Residents within 2 blocks of Wheaton North High do not need to shelter in place; this request has been lifted. Wheaton Police are asking that residents near the school on Thomas, Papworth, and Morse please be patient while road closures remain for police to continue investigating.
Police continue working to clear the site, and we appreciate your patience.
ORIGINAL POST - 10:02 A.M. -SHELTER IN PLACE REQUEST NEAR WHEATON NORTH HIGH SCHOOL:
Wheaton Police are responding to Wheaton North High School for a threat called in to 9-1-1 referencing the school. While school is not in session today, students and staff who are at the school for activities are being evacuated while police investigate the threat and search the building. Wheaton Police are asking anyone who is within a 2-block radius of the school to please shelter in place and stay indoors while Police investigate this situation. We will provide further updates.