Teen accused of bringing loaded gun to school might be tried as an adult

Posted on November 9, 2021

*The boy has been held in the McLean County Juvenile Detention Center after school administrators said they found a loaded gun in the student’s possessions last Thursday. (WJBC file photo)*

BLOOMINGTON – A 16-year old Bloomington High School student accused of bringing a loaded gun to school last week faces the possibility of being tried as an adult on weapons charges.

McLean County State’s Attorney Don Knapp said Monday he anticipates petitioning a judge to move the case to adult court. A hearing on the request would likely be held before the teen faces a trial in juvenile court, now scheduled for November 23.

The boy has been held in the McLean County Juvenile Detention Center after school administrators said they found a loaded gun in the student’s possessions last Thursday. There were no threats of violence, according to Superintendent Barry Reilly.

Reilly said he intends to recommend the school board expel the boy from two school for two years, which is the maximum allowed by law for a weapons offense. The teenager would be eligible to continue his education through the SAVE program.

The date of an expulsion hearing is contingent on the criminal court proceedings, said Reilly.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…