By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
In its May 6 issue, the Elmhurst Independent reported on an incident that took place on the campus of Elmhurst University on Wednesday, April 28.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. that day, the Elmhurst Police Department responded to 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 p.m.
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 Monday, May 10, the student, Darnel Baalbaki, 25, of 418 Geneva, Bellwood, was charged with Felony Disorderly Conduct – False Crime Report. Bond was set at $25,000 with 10% to apply. Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
