Following a tip received by the Peoria Police, a 16-year-old teenager faces charges for reportedly plotting a school shooting. The tip indicated that a group of teens, one from Peoria and three from Vermillion County, used Discord for the planning.
The Discord chat also discussed stockpiling weapons for the alleged school shooting plot. According to law enforcement, the Peoria teenager, possessing a journal, documented the threat. The journal contained written threats, drawings, building layouts, and research into the juvenile court system and potential criminal charges.
Notably, the police had previously known the Peoria teen for a school shooting threat that occurred last year. Additionally, two males and a female from Vermillion County were part of the investigation. The Peoria Police Department received the initial information about the threat from law enforcement officials in Vermillion.
Despite the ongoing investigation, authorities have yet to reveal the intended school. On February 5, 2024, the State’s Attorney’s Office formally charged the 16-year-old boy with three felony charges. They include making a terrorist threat, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy.
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Currently, the teenager is in custody at the Peoria County Juvenile Detention Center. Given the severity of the charges, the State’s Attorney’s Office initiated the process of transferring the case to adult court. This is with plans to request that the suspect be tried as an adult.
Jodi Hoos, Peoria County State’s Attorney, also gave his two cents. “School safety is a top priority. I want to reassure the public that thanks to the quick action by law enforcement, there is currently no school or student in danger from this threat,” Hoos noted.
“This is just one example of how we are constantly monitoring this area and focusing on keeping students safe.” The investigation is ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with pertinent information to contact the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673–4521.
Notably, a similar event happened on February 14, 2018, when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire on students and staff of Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The incident claimed the lives of 17 individuals and injured 17 others.
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Cruz, a former student of the school, escaped immediate capture by blending in with fleeing students. Interestingly, he faced charges of approximately one hour and twenty minutes in Coral Springs. The incident remains the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. high school history.
Notably, the shooting occurred during the advocacy for gun control, followed by previous mass shootings in Texas, Paradise, Nevada, and Sutherland Springs in October and November 2017. On October 20, 2021, Cruz pleaded guilty to all charges related to the shooting and apologized.
Despite the prosecution’s initial request for the death penalty, delays due to the pandemic happened. However, on July 18, 2022, the jury deemed Cruz eligible for the death penalty on October 13. Sadly, the jury couldn’t reach a consensus on its impositions.
However, recent legislative changes attributed to Cruz’s case eliminate the need to impose the death penalty.
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