Springfield, IL – A 16-year-old Springfield High School student was arrested Wednesday and charged with a hate crime for writings that were antisemitic in nature.
Sangamon County State’s Attorney Dan Wright confirmed the arrest and charges. Springfield police also confirmed Wednesday’s arrest.
The incident took place Wednesday afternoon, according to Joshua Stuenkel, deputy chief of criminal investigations for the SPD.
he male student was arrested by the school resource officer, Stuenkel said. The SRO informed dispatch at 1:14 p.m. Wednesday.
The student was also charged with disorderly conduct involving a threat to a school and criminal defacement of property.
Neither Wright nor Stuenkel said where the incident took place in the school.
The student is in custody at the Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center pending a psychological assessment and a hearing before the court.
A Springfield School District 186 spokeswoman said via email Friday that it was “an isolated individual student matter.” She did not respond to an email seeking clarification about the incident.
Wright said his office “will continue to prosecute those who commit crimes by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, immigration status or national origin of another individual or groups of individuals.”
