DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A man was arrested after calling 911 and threatening to shoot at people near MacArthur High School Saturday.
According to the Decatur Police Department, police received a call just after 1 p.m. from a man claiming he was standing in front of the school with a gun and he was going to "shoot them down," referring to people and drivers nearby.
At the time of the call, MacArthur was hosting a football camp and a youth dance competition.
Decatur police said officers did not immediately find the suspect when they arrived, and asked people to shelter in the building until the area was cleared.
Decatur Public Schools said in a statement that, "out of an abundance of caution and in strict adherence to our safety protocols, all camp participants and coaching staff immediately moved inside the school building." They stayed inside until officers cleared the area and confirmed it was safe to leave.
DPD said the investigation led officers to the Decatur Inn Motel, where a 40-year-old man, who was on parole, was arrested for making a terrorist threat.
The department clarified that there was no indication that any shots were fired by the suspect at or near MacArthur High School. According to police, no guns have been found and there is no evidence that the suspect had a gun, despite his statements.
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