Students were evacuated and police responded after reports of a gun inside Viking Middle School during a school dance event Friday evening, officials said.
The Gurnee Police Department said they were called to the school, located at 4460 Old Grand Avenue in Gurnee.
Officers received reports of a gun inside the building. Students were at the school attending a special event, police said.
All students were evacuated from the school and sent home early.
Police determined the claims of a gun on campus were unfounded.
Viking School Principal Ryan Lazar sent an email message to parents about the situation.
Lazar said the school was hosting its first dance of the school year when the report of a gun occurred.
The Gurnee Police Department and Gurnee School District 56 are investigating the situation.
“I am incredibly disappointed that this is how our dance ended this evening,” Lazar said.
“Our Viking staff works very hard to ensure the safety of our students, staff and community,” Lazar added.
Student support services will be available for students on Monday, the school said.
Lazar said additional information would be released once an investigation is completed.