For the past few months St. Charles High School received online threats from Alex Reichert, particularly towards the graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 17. This put seniors in an anxiety swirl about attending their own graduation, and bringing their loved ones to a place that put them at risk of being hurt. On Thursday, May 14, he was arrested and faced the charges of stalking and terrorist threats. This gave the seniors a sense of relief knowing that their ceremony would be uninterrupted with violence.

Lauren Redlawsk

“I was very nervous to bring my loved ones to graduation knowing that there was a person that wanted to attack our graduation. It was an awful reality thinking about the fact that someone wanted to ruin one of the largest events of most people’s lives. Whenever he was taken in, it was weight off our shoulders.”

Maddie Harmon

“All of my family is going to be there, I am going to be there, I have the risk of being shot. This could be the best day of one of their lives, and their day is going to be ruined because somebody died. I was very happy that he got arrested…everything is under control.”

Alijah Guyot

“I am relieved he got caught. Even though I thought he wasn’t going to do anything, the off-chance that he did, it was scary. I was 80 percent sure if he did anything, he would get caught beforehand.”

Melissa Prichard

“Even though he wasn’t making direct threats, we all knew what he was talking about. I think we wouldn’t want to put our loved ones in danger knowing what he could possibly do. I think after he was arrested, I think that’s part of the reason so many people showed up to graduation. I definitely felt better knowing he was put away for the time of our graduation, and I hope for a lot longer as well.”

Colleen Ney

“I knew that the police were going to get him. I had a strong feeling that the school district and the police were doing everything in their power. There was a sense of worry in me, but it wasn’t as strong as what other people had. After he was arrested I was very glad knowing that, even though I wasn’t as worried, knowing that everyone is safe, and knowing my family was going to be safe.”

Maximilian Sheils

“Obviously I was a little nervous because he was making threats to graduation, but we were well protected by the officers. I am glad they arrested him because harassing people with terroristic threats is not cool, especially innocent people. Why is he threatening me? Even though he was arrested there were a lot of officers there. I have good faith in the police department.”

With the safety the St. Charles Police department ensured, these 2026 graduates felt more calm attending their graduation. At first, the situation was no doubt scary to think about, but the St. Charles School District and police were here to protect the school and community.