A man is facing terroristic threats charges after authorities say he made numerous “alarming” threats of bombing and shooting, including toward Vernon Hills High School and a church in South Barrington.
Ryan Kang, 26, of Vernon Hills, was charged with two counts of terrorism by false threat, a Class 1 felony.
The Vernon Hills Police Department began an investigation into Kang after multiple people, including his own family, made reports to the police regarding threatening posts.
Vernon Hills Deputy Police Chief Shannon Holubetz said there was a series of concerning social media posts that were perceived as threatening certain institutions and people.
The threats included references to school shootings, bombings and acts of interpersonal violence.
The threats were made to Vernon Hills High School, Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and multiple out-of-state residents, Holubetz said.
Officers evaluated the posts and any threat posed by Kang after receiving the reports.
They coordinated with outside law enforcement agencies, interviewed family members and eventually spoke with Kang himself.
Investigators determined Kang did not have the means or ability to carry out any attack, Holubetz said.
Kang admitted to investigators to authoring the posts.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Shepherd said a review of Kang’s phone showed a history of searches that were “particularly disturbing” and the threats he has made are “alarming” even to the man’s own family.
Those included “Luigi Mangini,” “Edward Snowden,” “Adolf Hitler manifesto” and “assassinated presidents.” He also made mentions of a bomb, a gun and the Sandy Hook school shooting, prosecutors said.
“Social media and internet threats have become far too common,” Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick Kreis said.
“These criminal acts disrupt our daily lives and promote fear in our communities. They will not be tolerated,” Kreis said.
Kang was arrested on Saturday and transported to First Appearance Court where the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him pending trial.
Shepherd said during a detention hearing Tuesday afternoon that it is very clear Kang’s mental health is in question and he should be held in custody.
Kang also threatened to shoot his co-workers and bomb the store earlier this month, Shepherd said.
Lake County Judge Ari Fisz granted the petition to detain following the hearing.
Kang, who has a limited criminal history, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
He remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on August 12 for a preliminary hearing.