Des Plaines schools locked down after gun scare

Plainfield Elementary School and Maine West High School were put on lockdown Tuesday after a man displayed what was thought to be a handgun during an argument with high schoolers near the elementary school.

Des Plaines police officers responded to the area of Plainfield Drive and Everett Avenue after a caller reported a person displaying a gun and threatening kids in the area of the elementary school, according to Des Plaines Chief Jim Prandini.

Police were able to track down the man, who lives in the mobile home park on the 800 block of East Oakton Street, and determined the gun was a BB gun.

The man had originally parked his car near the school and got in an argument with high school aged children near the corner, according to police.

The man, who is in custody, then went back to his trailer before returning and displaying the gun, police said.

Police were able to determine which trailer the man lived in within several minutes, and he gave himself up without incident, according to police.

Police lifted the lockdowns within 20 or 30 minutes, according to Prandini.

Charges were pending against the man Tuesday evening.