File Photo – Gages Lake School (SEDOL) | Photo: SEDOL

A bomb threat, which was unfounded, prompted a soft lockdown and an emergency response to the Special Education District of Lake County campus in Gages Lake Thursday afternoon.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 1:30 p.m. Thursday to the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL) campus in the 18100 block of West Gages Lake Road in Gages Lake for a bomb threat.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said a threat was made via telephone about a bomb in a vehicle on the school property.

Deputies arrived on the scene and worked with school administration and staff from SEDOL.

A soft lockdown was issued for the campus, including Laremont School, Cyd Lash Academy, Gages Lake School and the SEDOL Administrative Building.

Deputies methodically searched the parking lot to look for suspicious devices, Covelli said.

An explosive detection canine from the Great Lakes Naval Station was also called to check for devices on the property.

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There was no detection of any explosive components, Covelli said. “We always take these calls seriously,” he said.

The SEDOL campus remained on a soft lockdown throughout the investigation.

Covelli said detectives are working to track down where the threat came from and who made it.

In a message to staff members, administrators said the bomb threat and subsequent soft lockdown delayed student dismissal.

“SEDOL is thankful for our partnership with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and other responding law enforcement agencies,” the administration said.

The sheriff’s office will offer an increased presence on the SEDOL campus on Friday.