On April 28th, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Elmhurst Police Department responded to Elmhurst University for a call that a man was on campus with a gun. The Elmhurst University Campus was placed on lock-down and systematically checked by responding Elmhurst police officers and Elmhurst University Public Safety staff. No threat was located and the lock-down was lifted at approximately 6:00 PM.

The police investigation subsequently revealed that an Elmhurst University student had met with a male in a University parking lot earlier that day. The student later admitted to investigators that he acquired methamphetamine from the man without paying an agreed-upon price and then fled the area on foot.  During a follow-up interview, the student admitted that he called the Elmhurst University Public Safety Office making a false report that a male had a gun on campus. The student admitted that he never saw anyone with a gun.

On May 10, 2021, the student, Darnel Baalbaki, age 25, of 418 Geneva, Bellwood, IL, was charged with Felony Disorderly Conduct – False Crime Report. Bond was set at $25,000 – 10% applies.