DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and West Chicago Chief of Police Colin Fleury announced today that a fourteen-year-old male West Chicago High School student has been accused of bringing a gun to school. The juvenile appeared at a detention hearing this morning where Judge Anthony Coco ordered that he be detained until at least his next court appearance. He has been charged with one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon in Public – School (Class 3 Felony), one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Under 21 (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm – Under 18 (Class 4 Felony).

On September 21, 2022, the West Chicago High School Resource Officer received information that a student had allegedly displayed a firearm while in high school. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that the juvenile was in a bathroom during the last hour of class when he showed off a tan Glock handgun from his waistband. The juvenile was located later that day at his home with the weapon allegedly still in his possession. He was transported to the West Chicago Police Department for questioning.

“There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for a fourteen-year-old boy to be in possession of a dangerous weapon, as alleged in this case,” Berlin said. “While no threats were made, directly or indirectly, my office takes any sign of potential violence involving a school very seriously and anyone suspected of any such behavior will be investigated and charged accordingly. I thank the West Chicago Police Department for their quick response in this case and their continued dedication to school safety. I thank authorities at West Chicago High School for their assistance as well. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Connor Greene and Dan Orescanin for their work in helping us keep our schools as safe as possible.”

“I wish to thank officials at School District 94 for their complete cooperation in this matter as well as State’s Attorney Bob Berlin’s office for their legal guidance,” Fleury said. “School safety is of the utmost importance to us all and the West Chicago Police Department remains one hundred percent committed to keeping our all schools safe for students, teachers and staff.”

The Juvenile’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 5, 2022, in front of Judge Coco.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.