'No Evidence' of Shots Fired at LT

By Charlotte Eriksen and Joe O'Donnell

Updated 7:06 p.m.

La Grange police have found no evidence that shots were fired at Lyons Township High School's North Campus Thursday afternoon, according to LT. Police issued an "all clear" for the North Campus about 6:25 p.m. after a "thorough and systematic search" of the campus, according to LT.

La Grange Police Chief Michael Holub said police did not determine what the noise was. He said an adult employee of the school reported the noise, which came from an area of the building where a play rehearsal was taking place. 

"(There was) no odor of gunshots, no shell casings... Thankfully no injuries," he said. "(We) did a systematic search just to make sure," but there was no indication that shots were fired.

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LT will stage Dracula Oct. 18-20, which, in its original script, calls for a fake gun prop. LT spokesperson Jennifer Bialobok said that while the script called for such a prop, it was not in use after school and will not be included in the show.

No one was injured and no damage was reported to the facility. Friday will be a regular school day.

Updated 5:36 p.m. 

At 4:10 p.m. a lock down was issued for the Lyons Township High School North Campus for a "suspicious noise" thought to be gunshots, according to a message posted on the LT website.  

There was "nothing to substantiate" reports of shots fired in the school, and no injuries have been reported, according to LT. 

"Police responded immediately, took control of the scene. There is nothing to substantiate the report of gunshots at this time. Students onsite at time of lock down have been cleared to depart with parents, drive themselves home or walk to neighborhood homes after signing out with a staff member. 

All after school activities and athletic events have been canceled for the evening, including community swim lessons. 

Dr. Timothy Kilrea, superintendent of Lyons Township High School District 204 wrote in a message posted to the LT website:

"At approximately 4:10 PM this afternoon, a suspicious noise thought possibly to be gunshots was reported at the North Campus causing the campus to be locked down by La Grange Police Department with assistance from Brookfield and other LTHS communities. 

"There is nothing to substantiate the report of gunshots at this time. As a precaution, law enforcement professionals are investigating and conducting a thorough, systematic search the campus. 

"At this time, there are no reported injuries. All students, visitors and staff are reported to be safe and there have been no findings of damage to the facilities. Students onsite at time of lock down have been cleared to depart with parents, drive themselves home or walk to neighborhood homes after signing out with a staff member."

Original

The Lyons Township High School North Campus was evacuated at approximately 4:15 p.m. Thursday due to unconfirmed reports of shots fired, according to a message on the LT website.  

"Police responded immediately and took control of the scene. There has been no confirmation of shots fired."

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