No threat was found after a phone call to Antioch Community High School threatening violence prompted a lockdown and a large police response Friday afternoon, officials said.
The Antioch Police Department responded around 1:30 p.m. Friday to the Antioch Community High School, 1133 Main Street in Antioch, for a report of an “active threat.”
The high school received a phone call threatening violence at the school, Village of Antioch Communication Specialist Jim Moran said.
Investigators quickly learned that the call originated from a cell phone inside the school.
The school was placed on lockdown and the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System (ILEAS) was activated, sending numerous agencies to the scene, a source said.
Police also responded to all elementary schools in Antioch out of an abundance of caution, Moran said.
Officers conducted a complete search of the building and determined there was no threat to the school or community.
The lockdown was lifted and students were dismissed, Moran said.
The Antioch Fire Department was on standby next to the high school while police investigated.
The incident remains under investigation by the Antioch Police Department.
Moran said the incident is similar to recent threats made to schools in Wisconsin.
Nine schools in southeast Wisconsin received hoax shooting threats on Thursday, FOX6 News Milwaukee reported.
“The Antioch Police Department is grateful for the assistance of the First Fire Protection District and members of neighboring law enforcement communities during the lockdown response,” Moran said.
Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow said ongoing training and communication between his department and Community High School District 117 aided in the swift response.
“We would like to thank the parents and students for their patience and cooperation during this stressful situation,” Guttschow said.
“It was the cooperation by everybody that helped the situation end quickly and safely,” he added.