Man Charged After Social Media Posts Referenced School Shootings, Bombings

VERNON HILLS, IL — A 26-year-old Vernon Hills man has been charged with two counts of falsely making a terrorist threat after police investigated a series of concerning social media posts referencing school shootings, bombings and acts of violence, police said.

The investigation began after multiple people, including members of Ryan Kang’s family, reported posts they believed contained threats against specific institutions and individuals, according to a news release from the police department.

The posts referenced Vernon Hills High School, Willow Creek Church and several people who live outside Illinois, according to police.

Officers worked with outside law enforcement agencies, interviewed family members and spoke with Kang, 26, as part of the investigation. Police said investigators determined Kang did not have the means or ability to carry out an attack, but he admitted to creating the posts.

“Social media and internet threats have become far too common,” Vernon Hills Police Chief Patrick Kreis said in a statement. “These criminal acts disrupt our daily lives and promote fear in our communities. They will not be tolerated.”

Kang was arrested on Saturday, and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed a petition seeking to detain him pending trial.

If convicted, Kang faces up to 15 years in prison.