Des Plaines, IL — Esmeralda E. Vargas, 18, was arrested on December 30, 2024, after a nearly four-month investigation into threats made against North Elementary School in Des Plaines. The threats, which were posted on TikTok, led to felony disorderly conduct charges.
On September 9, 2024, the SS-ARS Crisis Center received an anonymous tip about a TikTok post in which the user expressed admiration for the Uvalde school shooter and threatened to “shoot up” North Elementary School. The Des Plaines Police Department, working with the Community Consolidated School District 62, quickly initiated crisis response protocols. Investigators contacted TikTok, identifying the IP address of the user in the 1400 block of E. Willow Road, Des Plaines, which led them to Vargas.
After a search of Vargas’s residence, no firearms were found, and she was trespassed from all District 62 properties. Investigators obtained a search warrant for additional details on the TikTok post, which confirmed Vargas had threatened the school she once attended.
Vargas turned herself in and was arrested on December 30. She has since been released following her arrest. A preliminary court hearing is expected in the coming weeks.