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Des Plaines teen charged over TikTok threat to 'shoot up' suburban school

By FOX 32 Digital Staff
Published  January 3, 2025 1:32pm CST
Des Plaines
FOX 32 Chicago

Des Plaines teen charged over TikTok threat to 'shoot up' suburban school

An 18-year-old Des Plaines woman has been charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly threatening to "shoot up" a suburban elementary school last September.

The Brief

    • Esmeralda E. Vargas, 18, was charged with one felony count of disorderly conduct after allegedly making threats on TikTok to "shoot up" North Elementary School in Des Plaines.
    • Police traced the threats to her residence, and while no firearms were found, she was cited and released following her arrest.

DES PLAINES, Ill. - An 18-year-old Des Plaines woman has been charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly threatening to "shoot up" a suburban elementary school last September. 

Esmeralda E. Vargas was taken into custody after an anonymous tip alerted school officials to a threatening TikTok post that praised the Uvalde school shooter as an "idol" and mentioned North Elementary School as a target, according to Des Plaines police.

Upon receiving the tip, the Des Plaines Police Department along with Community Consolidated School District 62 and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, initiated a crisis response protocol.

Investigators worked with TikTok to trace the post to Vargas’s residence on East Willow Avenue, where a search conducted with her parents' cooperation found no guns. District 62 officials also issued a trespass order barring Vargas from district properties.

Further investigation, supported by a search warrant, revealed detailed conversations on TikTok in which Vargas reiterated the threats. 

Vargas turned herself in to police on Monday and was charged with one felony count of disorderly conduct. She was cited and released in accordance with state law.

Des PlainesCrime and Public SafetyNews