Police Find Weapons Stockpile, Nazi Gear After Student Made Threats On Snapchat

By Stephen Gossett in News on Oct 6, 2016 4:46PM

Getty Images / Photo: Joe Raedle

A Chicagoland high school student faces six felony weapons charges after police investigated threats made by the boy on Snapchat.

Police reportedly began investigating the 16-year-old student, who attends Hinsdale South High School in the western suburbs, after receiving reports that the teen made threatening posts toward another student on social media. Prosecutors said the teenager posted about “shooting up” the high school, according to the Tribune.

Police then searched the boy’s Darien residence and found “several guns, ammunition, paper shooting targets, explosives, knives, brass knuckles and gas masks,” according to a press release sent to Chicagoist from the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office. Among the weapons stash was a rifle, shotgun and a flare gun that had been fashioned into a firearm, prosecutors said, according to the Trib. Police also reportedly found a host of Nazi-themed paraphernalia.

“We take any threat to the safety and security of our students and teachers very seriously,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "Students and teachers alike must not fear for their safety at school."

“This case epitomizes the need for parents to be involved and to monitor their children’s social media use,” said Darien Chief of Police Greg Thomas.

The teen was denied a request for house arrest and is due back in court on Oct. 19.