Schools
Man Apprehended Following Lockdown at Plainfield District Campus
The suspect was walking around the building acting strangely, and holding his hand as if it were a gun, officials said. Police said the man suffered from a medical condition.
Updated at 11:30 p.m.
A man was apprehended Wednesday afternoon following a lockdown at Liberty Elementary School, 1401 Essington Rd. in Bolingbrook.
District 202 Community Relations Director Tom Hernandez said school had already been dismissed for the day when the lockdown was ordered at around 4:15 p.m., after school staff spotted a man acting bizarrely outside the building.
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“Staff noticed a man walking around the school acting strangely, knocking on doors and holding his hand in the shape of a gun,” Hernandez said. The man did not enter the school and did not have any weapons, he said in a news release.
Though school was not in session, several dozen students remained on campus for the YMCA’s after-school program and Girl Scout troop meetings.
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Staff immediately called police, who responded to the campus and conducted a search of the building. Although the man did not enter the building, Hernandez said police did an interior search of the campus as well.
Hernandez said police apprehended a man near the school.
Bolingbrook police Lt. Mike Rompa said officers detained a 40-year-old Lockport man outside the school. Police determined the man was unarmed and suffered from a medical condition, and he was transported to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital for evaluation.
Rompa said police towed the man's vehicle for investigative purposes. Police also spoke with the man's roommate and checked his Lockport home, where they did not uncover any weapons, but were able to obtain further details on his medical condition.
Police said the incident remains under investigation.
Hernandez said the lockdown was lifted around 4:45 p.m. He praised staff for their quick action.
“Our kids and our staff did exactly what they were supposed to do, and the police were wonderful,” he said. “We appreciate their quick response and their assistance.”
Hernandez said a Connect-ED message was being sent to Liberty Elementary parents Wednesday evening. Parents with questions are urged to call 815-609-3037.
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