1 arrested overnight after shotgun found in parked vehicle at Rockton middle school, police report

ROCKTON, Ill. (WIFR) - An 18-year-old from Rockton faces weapons charges after police reportedly found a shotgun and 12-gauge shotgun round inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Stephen Mack Middle School.

Patrick Martin of Rockton is charged with aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of ammunition without a FOID card.

A report filed in court says around 2 a.m. May 21, a patrol officer saw a vehicle parked at Stephen Mack Middle School, 11810 Old River Rd., in Rockton. When the officer checked the vehicle, he said he found it empty but reported seeing the wooden handle of a shotgun tucked between the driver seat and center console.

Police said they were able to track down the owner of the vehicle and learned Martin took the gun, a family heirloom, because he was having problems with people making threats toward him at work and took it “in case he needed it as a scare tactic.”

During a search of the vehicle, the officer also reportedly found a 12-gauge shotgun round in the center dash compartment of the vehicle.

The report said Martin told the patrol officer he did not plan to harm anyone with the weapon and had no intentions of using it. He also reportedly denied any plans to use the weapon on school grounds.

A note to parents sent by Rockton School District Superintendent Glenn Terry says there was and is no threat to Stephen Mack Middle School.

“This was an incident that occurred at 2 a.m. involving an 18 year old. There was and is no threat towards SMMS. The person was arrested. Again, this happened in the middle of the night last night and was not associated with SMMS,” the note reads in part.

Martin made his first appearance in court May 21 and was released from custody with conditions under the Pretrial Fairness Act. Court records show he is scheduled to be arraigned July 9.