Swatting Incident Puts Richards High School On Soft Lock Down

OAK LAWN, IL—A swatting incident ate up a good chunk of seventh period Friday afternoon at H.L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, CHSD 218 officials said.

Around 1:30 p.m. Oak Lawn police informed the high school of a possible bomb threat, district officials said to families in an email. The school was immediately placed on lockdown. Students and staff stayed in their respective classrooms and offices as Oak Lawn police officers conducted their investigation.

Students were told to be quiet, turn off the lights, and get stuff out of the windows. Police searched the school and did not find any bombs or incendiary devices. It was determined that the threat was a swatting incident. The lockdown was lifted around 2:15 p.m.

There is no current threat to Richards. Students were dismissed from school on time. Police remained at the scene until the end of the school day.

Swatting is a malicious act that can involve placing false emergency calls to emergency responders, often reporting a (false) severe, ongoing crisis at a specific location. The goal of swatting is to provoke a significant law enforcement response, creating chaos and potentially resulting in violence.