'Swatting' Hoax Leads To Dundee-Crown Lockdown: District

CARPENTERSVILLE, IL — A swatting hoax lead to a lockdown, and then the early release of students, at Dundee-Crown High School on Wednesday.

District 300 Superintendent Dr. Susan Harkin confirmed the hoax Wednesday afternoon in an alert telling parents that "Dundee-Crown High School is believed to be the victim of a malicious act known as 'swatting,'" explaining that swatting is a term referring to someone intentionally making a false report with the aim of provoking a large police response.

As police swarmed the school, the building was placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure, school officials said Wednesday morning. At around 11:30 a.m., students at the high school began being released to their parents. Some students were still inside the building and needed to wait for parents to arrive so they could leave.

Students were also able to remain in school as normal for the remainder of the day if they choose, school officials said.

Isaiah Sturdvant, a senior at the high school, was arriving on his bus when the lockdown was first issued.

He was told to stay on his bus until his mom could call the district and OK him to get off the bus.

Kimberly Sturdvant left work early to pick him up. She was standing with her son outside the school, trying to determine if she could also pick up his friend, Christian Eatton.

Eatton, a senior, was still inside the building. On a phone call, Eatton said he was in the hall when the school announced the lockdown.

From there, he said they were moved to a multipurpose room and then to their lockers before heading to a classroom. Other parents at the school were waiting to have their children released from the gym or from a grassy area outside the school, where a group congregated amid a heavy police response.

Rumors circulated via social media Wednesday regarding an active shooter situation inside the school. Anthony McGinn, chief of communications for District 300, said in an email response at about 10:15 a.m. that he "can confirm there is no active shooting or incident occurring inside Dundee-Crown High School."

Harkin, in a message posted on the District 300 website earlier on Wednesday, said all students were safe, but the lockdown was impacting drop-off morning and no students were being allowed to enter or exit the building until the lockdown had been lifted.

"Walkers, bike riders and families dropping off students at Dundee-Crown this morning are advised to await the direction of the building administration until we communicate that the lockdown has been lifted," according to Harkin. "Students who take bus transportation must remain in their bus until the lockdown has been called off."

A shelter in place was also put in place at Perry Elementary School and Carpentersville Middle School. According to Harkin, there was "no threat inside" either of the schools and "all students and staff are safe."

The schools "entered into shelter in place this morning as a precautionary measure due to a situation at Dundee-Crown High School," according to Harkins. Buses may be delayed at both schools.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.