Police: Teen used classmate’s name to threaten shooting at Aurora high school

A teenager is facing a felony charge for allegedly using his classmate’s name this week to make an online threat of a shooting at an Aurora high school.

The 15-year-old boy was charged with disorderly conduct after he posted a threat against West Aurora High School on social media which was deemed “not credible” by several detectives specializing in internet crimes, according to a statement from Aurora police. The charge was later upgraded to a felony by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The classmate was unaware his name was used, and he and his family were cooperative with authorities, police said.

“These incidents are crimes not jokes,” police said in a statement posted to the department’s Facebook page. “We encourage parents to reinforce this fact to their children. We will prosecute anyone involved in these crimes to the fullest extent of the law.”

Anyone with information about the threatening post was asked to call Aurora detectives at (630) 256-5500. Anonymous tipsters can also call Aurora Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000.