Cahokia teen to appear in court over charges of school shooting threats

A 14-year-old Cahokia student was set to appear in court Monday in connection with threats that sent Cahokia and East St. Louis schools into lockdowns Thursday.

The teen, whose name was not released because of her age, was charged with four counts of making terrorist threats, four counts of attempted terrorist threats and four counts of disorderly conduct, St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly said. The disorderly conduct charges fall in a specific section for making a threat directed at a school.

The girl was detained Friday evening and has a court hearing set for Monday.

On Thursday, Cahokia and East St. Louis schools were put under soft lockdowns due to reportedly racist Facebook posts threatening to shoot students.

Several Facebook users shared a screenshot of what was said to be the threat. Multiple posts by the same user said Cahokia and East St. Louis schools were in danger and that the person was "coming for" both schools.

Another post, which was published Wednesday night, said the shooting would occur Thursday and referenced racist motives for the shooting.

"The threats obviously did not result in any actual acts of violence, and under Illinois law ... with the young age she is, she is not eligible to be prosecuted as an adult, absent the actual execution of violent conduct," St. Clair County State's Attorney Brendan Kelly said.

Kaley Johnson: 618-239-2526, @KaleyJohnson6

This story was originally published February 26, 2018 at 7:33 AM with the headline "Cahokia teen to appear in court over charges of school shooting threats."