Three Dixon elementary students questioned over school shooting threat on Thursday

DIXON, Ill. (WTVO) — Police in Dixon have identified three elementary school students reported to have made threats against two local schools on Thursday morning.

According to the Dixon Police Department, around 7:41 a.m., both Reagan Middle School and Madison Elementary Schools received a phone call with a message that said, “Get ready for a school shootout today, bye.”

Police described the caller as sounding “like a young male.” Staff were alerted to who the possible offender was and began conducting an investigation.

At 7:44 a.m., the school resource officer identified the caller as a Madison Elementary School student. Two other students were identified as possibly being involved in the threats, police said.

During questioning, the students reportedly told police “They were just joking,” when they made the call.

Dixon Police are working with the Lee County State’s Attorney as part of the investigation, and said it is being investigated with “the utmost seriousness.”

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