Crime
18-year-old Esmeralda Vargas accused of threatening to ‘shoot-up’ North Elementary School in Des Plaines
The post also reportedly referenced admiration for the Uvalde school shooter, which raised significant alarm.
Des Plaines, IL – An 18-year-old woman from Des Plaines is facing felony charges after allegedly posting a TikTok video threatening a shooting at her former elementary school.
Esmeralda Vargas was charged with disorderly conduct after authorities were alerted to the threat by the SS-ARS Crisis Center, an organization that tracks tips regarding potential school shooters.
According to police, Vargas posted a TikTok video on September 9 in which she threatened to “shoot up” North Elementary School, the school she once attended.
The post also reportedly referenced admiration for the Uvalde school shooter, which raised significant alarm.
Detectives swiftly acted on the tip, contacting TikTok to trace the origin of the video. With information provided by the platform, authorities located Vargas at her residence in the 1400 block of East Willow Avenue.
Law enforcement officers, with the cooperation of Vargas’ parents, conducted a search of the home.
No firearms were found during the search, but Vargas was subsequently banned from all District 62 properties.
A search warrant served to TikTok yielded further evidence corroborating the threat and its contents.
The investigation revealed the explicit mention of North Elementary School in the threat.
Vargas voluntarily turned herself in to police on Monday. She was officially charged with disorderly conduct, a felony under Illinois law.
The incident underscores the seriousness with which authorities address potential threats to schools.
The Des Plaines Police Department thanked the SS-ARS Crisis Center and TikTok for their cooperation in resolving the matter swiftly.
School officials have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of students and staff, emphasizing the importance of reporting any suspicious activity or threats. The investigation remains ongoing.
Crime
25-Year-Old Adrian Scott Arrested and Charged in Connection with July Bomb and Arson Investigation
St. Louis, MO — Authorities have arrested and charged 25-year-old Adrian Scott in connection with a July incident that sparked a Bomb and Arson investigation after a video surfaced on social media showing a man deliberately throwing fireworks at people and property.
According to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Scott was taken into custody two days ago following an extensive investigation by detectives assigned to the department’s Bomb and Arson Unit.
He now faces one count of Promoting Civil Disorder and one count of Armed Criminal Action, both felony charges.
Investigators say the viral video captured Scott recklessly igniting and throwing explosive fireworks in a public area, endangering bystanders and causing property damage.
The footage prompted widespread concern and led to the official investigation.
Following his arrest, Scott was booked into custody and is awaiting further court proceedings.
Authorities emphasized that such reckless and dangerous behavior will be met with serious legal consequences, noting that the charges reflect the severity of the offense and the potential harm caused to the public.