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Student taken into custody after firearm found in Plum Grove Middle School backpack; district limits public details
Summary
A school administrator discovered a firearm in a student’s backpack after a disciplinary search on the afternoon of Sept. 9; Rolling Meadows Police Department opened an investigation, the district said. School and community leaders called for stronger prevention and public education on safe gun storage.
A school administrator discovered a firearm in a student’s backpack following a disciplinary search at Plum Grove Middle School at about 2:30 p.m., the district said, and Rolling Meadows Police Department took the student into custody and opened an investigation.
Superintendent Laurie Hines told the Board of Education the district could not release identifying details because “this involves a minor and is part of an active police investigation” and said there are “strict legal protections in place both around student privacy and law enforcement processes.” She said the school resource officer was called immediately, no other weapons were found and no lockdown was ordered because the weapon was secured after it was found.
The discovery and the district’s handling of communications prompted public commenters to press for tougher school discipline and expanded community outreach on safe gun storage. Parent Luis Gutierrez urged the board to seek “immediate expulsion,” saying, “You are lucky that a student isn't dead,” while community member Joyce Slavic commended district resources and urged renewed parent outreach, saying, “Safe gun storage saves lives.”
District officials said Rolling Meadows Police released two press statements and the district shared initial information with families the night the incident occurred once the police said it was appropriate to do so. Hines said building and district leaders, including Principal Rivera and the district legal team, coordinated closely with the police and that building leaders would debrief to identify communication and safety improvements. She also told families that the student did not attend school while the investigation continues.
The board was told that disciplinary steps would follow district policy on weapons (referred to in the meeting as “policy 7:1:90”), and that penalties could include potential expulsion up to two years, consistent with the district’s weapons policy language presented at the meeting. The district urged families not to share unverified information on social media and directed parents with concerns to contact Principal Rivera.
Public commenters used the appearance to call for broader prevention measures. Joyce Slavic cited national data and the new state safe-storage law passed in July and asked the district to reissue communications about securing firearms at home and to publicize resources such as free gun locks and the Be SMART materials the district has linked on its website. Another public commenter, Jane Mann, urged community members to direct policy concerns to state and federal lawmakers rather than to school staff, praising school staff for their response.
No formal board action, vote, suspension or hearing was taken during the meeting on the incident; the district said it will follow law enforcement and student‑privacy rules while the police investigation continues and will take disciplinary action under its weapons policy as appropriate.
