School Security Guard Charged with Pulling Gun on Student in Illinois

School Security Guard Charged with Pulling Gun on Student in Illinois

The suspect was charged with felony counts of disorderly conduct and aggravated battery related to the incident, which took place Nov. 28.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • December 20, 2018

A school security guard faces felony charges after he allegedly pressed a gun against a student’s chest last month at Academy for Learning High School in Dolton, Ill.

The suspect was charged with felony counts of disorderly conduct and aggravated battery related to the incident, which took place Nov. 28. The incident began when he tried to break up a fight involving three students while he was working as a security guard on the campus, according to Dolton Police Cmdr. Scot Maton.

During the incident, the suspect grabbed one of the students, slammed him into a wall and pushed him to the ground, according to a Dolton police report. The conflict escalated with yelling and more physical contact.

The other school security guards stepped in and separated them, according to police. The suspect was asked to leave campus for the day and went to his car.

When two of the students involved in the fight left the school building, the suspect confronted them again, yelling. According to police, he pulled a black firearm from his waistband and put the muzzle against the chest of one of the students, continuing to yell. The confrontation was witnessed by another security guard, police said.

School officials said they took “swift action” after the incident, including banning the suspect from entering the school in the future. Sandra Thomas, executive director of ECHO Joint Agreement, which operates the school, said the school will continue to work with law enforcement to see that the suspect is “prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law.”

“It is imperative that we keep students safe while on school property and the alleged actions of this security guard directly contradict the measures we take to ensure the safety of our school community,” Thomas said in a statement.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Door Hardware and Campus Security: Enhancing Safety in Schools

    The importance of investing in school safety cannot be overstated, but knowing where to start implementation of school safety features can be a challenge. A recent survey by the National Center on Education Statistics found that a quarter of U.S. public schools have classrooms with doors that can't be locked from the inside. Even among schools with doors that do lock, recent legislation reflects a common misconception that simply keeping the doors locked all day will eliminate the potential for an attack, in direct violation of PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) Guidelines. Read Now

  • Brigham Young University Strengthens Campus Security With Genetec Operations Center

    Genetec Inc, a provider of enterprise physical security software, announced that Brigham Young University's (BYU) has optimized its security operations with the Genetec™ Operations Center work management system. Read Now

  • AI-based Risk Mitigation: The Next Advancement in Video Surveillance and Public Safety

    Safety is at the forefront of every organization and covers a gamut of scenarios, not just weapon-fueled lethal threats. It also includes smaller-scale and everyday situations like slipping hazards, fallen persons, unauthorized vehicles, and more. These issues cause disruptions in daily operations and cost companies and facilities money and downtime, so a fully realized security plan must involve actions that facility personnel should take once a hazard of any size occurs. Informing everyone that a hazard exists, where it’s located, and what actions to take is imperative for maintaining personal safety. Read Now

  • Fort Worth ISD Strengthens Event Safety

    The issue of concealed weapons being introduced into school extracurricular activities, including sporting events and graduations, became a growing concern in communities across the nation. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2024 across the United States, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols. Read Now

Most   Popular