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State’s attorney says United student was thinking about ‘shooting up graduation’

A student at United High School in Warren County, Illinois threatened to “shoot up graduation” and stab another student at the school, according to ...

A student at United High School in Warren County, Illinois threatened to "shoot up graduation" and stab another student at the school, according to authorities.

Nineteen year old Anthony Bruns was arrested last week; he's being charged with disorderly conduct, a Class C misdemeanor. The charges would be greater had he posted it on social media or called the school, which could fall under Illinois' terrorism statute, according to Chip Algren, the Warren County State's Attorney.

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Algren added, "Last week, there was another incident where this young man had made a statement to another student stating that he was at least thinking about stabbing another male student."

"The report that we received came to us a day or so before the shooting in Oregon, and we at least had a deputy, or the sheriff, out at United, just checking to see if this kid was around," Algren told News 8.

Many parents and students took their concerns to social media during the weekend, and that's when false rumors started to spread, including word that Bruns had a hit list, which was false, according to United School District superintendent Jeff Whitsitt. In an effort to clarify without stepping over privacy laws school districts must follow, Whitsitt posted a statement to the district's Facebook page on Sunday, October 4, 2015.

"This is Jeff Whitsitt, Superintendent at United CUSD 304. I'm writing this post in reaction to a surge of social media and rumors that have been flying around this weekend. It is truly amazing to me the things that I have been called about and and the stories that are simply being fabricated around an issue that happened at United High School on Tuesday. Although I'm bound by privacy laws I'm hopeful that I can clear up the misinformation that is irresponsibly being furthered.

1. Any issue with a student at United High School on Tuesday did have the police authorities involved.
2. The penalty that is being communicated through Facebook and rumor is inaccurate. I can't elaborate - but it is wrong. Administration took direct measures to insure the safety of all students at United High School.
3. The administration never saw or was never made aware of a targeted list of people to be injured.
4. There was no gun at United High School.
Myself or the Principal were never contacted to determine the accuracy of any of the information that was being said.
5. The Regional Office is aware what happened and what we are doing about it.

Please be assured that the safety of the United High School students has been first priority and measures have been taken to insure that."

Bruns was not at school on Monday, October 5, 2015. He was released from jail and is scheduled to appear in Warren County Court on October 27, 2015 at 9 a.m.  If found guilty of disorderly conduct, he could face up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

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