Fairbury Police release more information about Saturday night incident

Posted on September 28, 2022

*Fairbury Police say due to the multi-agency investigation, the suspect’s identity will not be released, but add that the suspect is not local. (WJBC File Photo)*

FAIRBURY – The Fairbury Police Department says a suspect has been identified and arrangements are being made to arrest that person after a false 911 call was made Saturday night about Prairie Central High School’s homecoming event.

Fairbury Police say they were called to the High School on Saturday, September 24 around 10:20 PM about an active shooter with two fatalities at the school’s homecoming event. Officers quickly responded, and found the report was false.

Police say their investigation found the male suspect has falsely reported serious threats to emergency communication centers across the country and is under investigation by numerous police agencies and will be ultimately charged federally. Fairbury Police say due to the multi-agency investigation, the suspect’s identity will not be released, but add that the suspect is not local.

In a statement, Prairie Central School District Superintendent Paula Crane said that in response to the incident, a student made inappropriate comments to friends. Crane states, “the student claimed he was responsible in a seemingly threatening manner.” After an investigation, it was found the student was joking, and the student was given harsh consequences.

The Fairbury Police Department requests parents to remind students pranks like this are not acceptable and will not be tolerated by the department or school district.

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