A Normal Community High School teacher tackled a 14-year-old boy who allegedly fired shots into the ceiling inside a classroom at the school Friday morning. Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner said the teacher was able to detain the student until officers arrived. No one was injured in the incident. The 14-year-old boy was taken into custody. Bleichner said several people were taken in for questioning, but only one person has been arrested. He said he doesn’t anticipate any more arrests.
Bleichner said the student fired shots from a handgun, but it’s not clear how many shots were fired. He said the student didn’t seem to be targeting anyone in particular. Police said they haven’t determined a motive in the shooting. The school was evacuated, and students were taken to a nearby church, where they were held for most of the day, while the school remained a crime scene.
School Superintendent Gary Niehaus said the school has controlled access, but said the district will review its security policies.
