Lake County Gazette

A lockdown due to a report of a student with a gun at Highland Park High School temporarily affected local polling places as voters tried to cast ballots for the April 4 election. 

The lockdown came on the morning of April 4 and affected polling places at Red Oak and Braeside. 

The City of Highland Park noted five students taken into custody in the incident and one student was noted to have “potentially” been in possession of a gun. Other area locations put on lockdown included municipal buildings, District 112 schools, District 113 schools, the Park District of Highland Park and the Highland Park Public Library were also locked down. 

“Highland Park Police will continue the investigation in partnership with Township High School District 113. District 113 will be in direct communication with parents regarding early dismissal information for today, Tuesday, April 4,” the City of Highland Park said in a press release.

The lockdown notice was sent out in the morning after 11 a.m. and was resolved at about half past noon. 

"Please be advised of a heavy police presence at Highland Park High School. HPHS has been placed on lockdown due to a report of a student potentially in possession of a gun at school. There are no reported shots fired,” the lockdown notice from Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega read.

Patch reported the lockdown came after tips came in from students. "The student alleged to have a gun was identified and security footage indicated that he and another student had left the building," Superintendent Bruce Law told Patch.

School was dismissed early due to the incident.