In a chilling discovery on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024, a loaded handgun was found in a middle school student’s locker at Dunlap Valley Middle School, Peoria County, after students alerted staff. The firearm, stolen from a Peoria burglary, was found with a 13-year-old male student. Investigations reveal that while there was no plan for a school shooting, the student intended to display the firearm and use it for personal protection. He is now in custody at the Juvenile Detention Center facing charges for unlawful use and possession of a stolen firearm. The sheriff’s office urges guardians to converse with their children about reporting potential threats to school security. Increased security is expected around local schools this week.
