The Mount Prospect Police Department announced that it is investigating a possible threat to Lincoln Middle School by a student on a social media app.

MPPD says it was alerted by the Superintendent of School District 57 of a possible threat. Police say a 14-year-old student had posted a photo saying, “Don’t come to school on Monday.”

MPPD also says the student had posted another video a few days prior holding what appeared to be a handgun while inside their house. According to authorities, those posts were seen by other students at the school and those students reported them to their parents and the District 57 See Something, Say Something tool.

MMPD says its officers responded to the home of the student on November 17, 2024. The student reportedly told the officers that the message was meant to be funny. The student also said that gun was a BB gun and was not real, according to MPPD.

MPPD confirms the gun turned out to be a replica Glock-style handgun BB gun. Officers inquired about real firearms in the home but were reportedly denied permission to search the home by a parent. They were reportedly told a firearm was in the home.

On November 18, 2024, MPPD says it obtained a search warrant for the student’s home. Detectives say multiple firearms were located. The parents have valid firearm owner’s identification cards.

MPPD says the firearms were removed for safekeeping. Police confirm the investigation into the messages is still being investigated.