Student Arrested With Toy Gun at ETHS (Updated)

A 19-year-old Evanston Township High School student was arrested yesterday after school officials discovered he had a plastic toy gun, according to police. 

Adel Mohammed Sobhi, of the 800 block of Mulford Street, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, Police Cmdr. Jason Parrott said.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a student told ETHS security staff that there might be a student with a gun on campus, according to a press release from the police department. ETHS security called the Evanston Police Department, which sent juvenile detectives to investigate the situation. They did not find an actual firearm, but discovered that Sobhi had a toy pistol that looks like a real weapon, according to police. 

“It was determined by police that at no time was there any risk regarding safety to students or school staff,” Parrott said in the press release. 

In a letter to parents posted on the district website, Supt. Eric Witherspoon said that the student would also face disciplinary action within the school. 

“While this was not an actual weapon, any report of an alleged weapon at school or on school property is considered serious and will not be tolerated,” Witherspoon said in the letter. “Please encourage your student to report any suspicious activity to school officials, or to use the ETHS or EPD anonymous Text-a-Tip message lines.”

Editor's Note: This story was updated with more information from the Evanston Police Department shortly after publication.