Police say no threat after bullet found on Wilmette school grounds

A “comprehensive search” from Wilmette police has ruled out any immediate threat to a Wilmette school and the community after a bullet was found Tuesday on the school’s playground.

Wilmette Cmdr. Alex Mercado said in an email that a student at Highcrest Middle School, 569 Hunter Road, found on Tuesday a live 9-millimeter firearm cartridge and notified school officials.

Mercado said that, because of the winter weather, Tuesday was the first day in several days that Highcrest students were outdoors near the playground, making it difficult for police to know the bullet’s origin.

“How long the cartridge has been there and whether it was dropped there or pushed by plows/snowblowers is not known,” Mercado said.

Wilmette Public Schools District 39 reportedly informed Wilmette police of the incident immediately, and the ensuing investigation that day included a search of the area, a search of social media discussion and a review of school surveillance footage, according to Mercado, who added that a K9 detection unit also searched the school grounds on Wednesday.

“Nothing of concern was located,” he said.

District 39 Communications Director Leo Krause told The Record via email that the incident, including the police investigation, did not cause an disruption to the school day.

The district on Tuesday alerted Highcrest families about the bullet discovery in an email and sent a followup on Wednesday detailing the police investigation.

The initial email on Tuesday — signed by Highcrest Principal Anthony Haduch, District Asst. Superintendent for Tech and Safety Tony DeMonte and Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli — said that “students and staff were safe at all times” during the police investigation and the message thanked the students who reported the finding and local police.

“We want to thank the students for bringing this matter to the attention of our staff. Part of maintaining a safe learning environment for everyone is being vigilant and alerting an adult if they see something suspicious or out of the ordinary,” the email reads. “We are proud of students who recognized today’s situation and immediately communicated with our staff.”

Mercado said Wilmette police increased its presence around the school since Tuesday.

A similar incident occurred two years ago at Wilmette Junior High, a school in the same district and within a mile of Highcrest.

In August 2025, students found multiple spent firearm cartridges behind the junior high school building, 620 Locust Road. Police investigated and discovered four .380 bullet casings, according to previous Record reporting.

Wilmette police also found no evidence of a threat to the school or the community following that discovery.

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