Connect with us

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.

Published

on

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 North 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.
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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

Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery

Published

on

Saylor Graham, 7, Fights to Recover After Silver Rail Elementary School Shooting as Teacher Becky Drury Faces Long Recovery
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BEND, Oregon — Seven-year-old Saylor Graham is recovering from life-threatening injuries after being shot at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, on October 15, 2026. Meanwhile, 54-year-old teacher Becky Drury is beginning a lengthy recovery after suffering gunshot wounds to her left arm and right hand during the deadly school shooting.

The latest updates from the two families offer a glimpse of the difficult road ahead for survivors of a tragedy that claimed the lives of three children and a teacher, leaving families, classmates, and the wider Bend community grieving.

Saylor Graham, described by her family as a loving, feisty girl with a strong determination to thrive, was shot in the jaw during the shooting, according to the information shared by her family and supporters. She was airlifted from Bend for medical treatment.

Her family says the 7-year-old has already faced numerous medical challenges throughout her young life. Now, she is confronting another devastating ordeal, with her parents remaining by her side as she receives treatment and begins the recovery process.

Updates shared about Saylor’s condition have differed. An earlier account described her as being in critical condition, while a later update reported that she was in serious but stable condition. Her latest status should be confirmed with her family or an official source before publication.

Advertisement

For Saylor’s parents, the emotional strain is accompanied by significant financial uncertainty. Both parents are self-employed, and the demands of remaining at the hospital have sharply limited their ability to work. They must also manage medical expenses, transportation, lodging, household bills, and the needs of their other child.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized to help Saylor’s family manage the financial pressures arising from her injuries and ongoing treatment.

The fundraiser describes Saylor as a daughter, sister, and niece whose determination has carried her through numerous medical challenges. It explains that the family is facing uncertainty as they remain close to her during recovery.

The appeal states that donations will help cover hospital bills, time away from work, lodging, transportation, and other urgent family expenses.

The fundraiser also asks supporters to keep Saylor and her loved ones in their thoughts and prayers, emphasizing that every contribution and act of kindness can make a difference during this difficult time.

Advertisement

Readers who wish to support Saylor’s recovery can find the fundraiser through the link shared by her family or the original organizer. The campaign details and donation link should be verified before being shared.

Becky Drury, 54, a teacher at Silver Rail Elementary School, was also wounded in the shooting. She suffered gunshot injuries to her left arm and right hand and has undergone surgery.

Her husband, Will, shared a hopeful update, saying the operation went well. However, the injuries to her left arm were extensive, and she is expected to require additional procedures and a prolonged recovery.

Despite the difficult road ahead, her husband’s message offered a moment of relief amid the grief surrounding the shooting.

“The good news is she will be ok and we all get to keep that magnificent woman we love so much in our lives,” he said.

Advertisement

His words reflect the gratitude of a family facing a frightening and uncertain recovery while knowing that Becky survived.

The shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School left three children and one teacher dead, according to the information provided in reports about the incident.

Five-year-old Rhoam Summer has been publicly identified among the children killed. Megan Lambert, 25, a teacher also known as “Coach Megan,” was identified as the adult victim. Two other children, ages 8 and 11, were also killed.

Their deaths have left four families facing an unimaginable loss. While Saylor and Becky continue their recoveries, the families of those who died are beginning a different and heartbreaking journey of grief.

The contrast between the survivors’ fight to recover and the families’ permanent loss has become one of the most painful realities of the tragedy.

Advertisement

For Saylor’s family, every update about her condition carries enormous significance. Her parents are navigating the uncertainty of their daughter’s recovery while trying to remain present for her and care for their family.

For Becky Drury’s loved ones, the successful surgery has brought relief, even as further treatment and rehabilitation lie ahead.

Their stories do not erase the devastating loss experienced by the families of the victims. Instead, they highlight the many ways the shooting has changed lives and the long road that survivors and loved ones must now face.

As Bend mourns the children and teacher who did not return home, the community continues to hope for Saylor’s recovery and for Becky to regain her health.

Saylor Graham and Becky Drury are among those still fighting their way forward after the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting. Their families are asking for support, compassion, and privacy as they face the difficult days ahead.

Advertisement

Continue Reading