Glencoe, News

Threat of violence written in Loyola bathroom stall draws police investigation

A threat of violence against Loyola Academy was found written inside a bathroom stall at the Wilmette school on Wednesday, according to a message Loyola administrators emailed to school parents on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

According to Loyola’s email, a student alerted administrators to the threatening message and the school contacted the Wilmette Police Department about the Wednesday, Nov. 13 threat as well as others recently made on social media.

In a statement to The Record on Thursday, Nov. 14, Loyola said in part, “We take all threats seriously and we immediately initiated an investigation in collaboration with local law enforcement. While this investigation remains ongoing, we have implemented additional security measures to help ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on campus.” 

The threatening note in the bathroom — a picture of which was obtained by The Record — contained several lines of text scrawled on one of the stall’s walls. It was a general threat of violence on a specific date. The Record is not providing any further details of the message.

Wilmette Deputy Police Chief Landon Girard said the department is working “hand in hand” with Loyola and confirmed increased patrols near the school, as well as a heftier on-site presence on campus. Girard said the department has also contacted the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for additional support.

On Thursday, Nov. 14, Loyola administrators sent a second email to parents sharing that while the investigation into the written threat is ongoing, the school identified and disciplined multiple juveniles responsible for the social media threats against the school.

It is unclear as of press time if the social media threats are related to the threat found in the school bathroom.

The school’s first email to parents says that expulsion and criminal charges “will be pursued as consequences of this action,” referring to the threat written in the bathroom.

Loyola classes were in session on Thursday, Nov. 14, and on Friday, Nov. 15, according to information in the school’s emails. The school campus will maintain a “heightened” police presence “for the foreseeable future,” according to the Nov. 14 email.

“If you feel it is in your child’s best interest to remain home at home, we respect your decision, and any absence for this reason will be excused,” says the Nov. 14 email, which is signed by President Gregory Ostdiek and Principal Tim Devine.

An image of the bathroom threat reportedly is being circulated among students in the area. In response, New Trier High School officials also emailed district parents making them aware of the incident at Loyola Academy, which is located less than a mile from New Trier’s Northfield campus, and dismissing rumors of any active threat to the school.

The message from New Trier Asst. Superintendent and Winnetka campus Principal Denise Dubravec says, “We have been in close contact with our local police departments, and we have heard various rumors connecting the Loyola incident to New Trier. Having extensively investigated these rumors, we have no information to support that there is any threat to New Trier.”

New Trier, however, did request additional police presence at both of its campuses, according to Dubravec’s email.

Stay tuned to TheRecordNorthShore.org as this story develops


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joe coughlin
Joe Coughlin

Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319

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