Illinois school shooting plot foiled by relative who tackled the armed child, officials say

An Illinois school shooting plot was foiled Friday after a relative spotted a boy with a firearm and called 911, according to the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

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Deputies responded to the 2400 block of Helmar Lane in Plainfield Township, part of the greater Chicago area, at 12:50 p.m. following a report of “a male suicidal subject.” A boy and a relative were found at the scene. Officials did not release identifying information about either person.

“Further investigation shows the relative had discovered the juvenile was armed with a firearm and the relative dialed 911 while pinning the juvenile down,” the sheriff’s office said.

The boy was en route to nearby Grand Prairie Elementary School to carry out a school shooting, authorities said. He was detained, and deputies recovered “a Glock handgun, a backpack which contained multiple loaded magazines, knives, an accelerant, gloves, and other items,” the sheriff’s office said.

The child is being held at a hospital for evaluation after making suicidal and homicidal statements to first responders, the sheriff’s office said. Charges have not yet been filed.

Police had an increased presence at the elementary school Friday, which was the last day of the school year.

“There is no threat to the community,” the sheriff’s office said.