Crime & Safety
Vermilion County, IL: 15-Year-Old Arrested With Machine Gun Device
Danville, IL – A 15 year old boy was arrested in Danville after police allegedly discovered a loaded handgun equipped with a device capable of converting a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic
By Cameron Hayes · 2026-10-20T20:48:38.843Z
Danville, IL – A 15 year old boy was arrested in Danville after police allegedly discovered a loaded handgun equipped with a device capable of converting a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic weapon during an investigation into a reported gun threat.
According to the Danville Police Department , officers responded to the area of Main Street and Virginia Street at approximately 2:31 p.m. Monday, October 19, after receiving a report that someone had been threatened with a firearm.
Officers assigned to the department's Street Crimes Unit located an individual matching the suspect's description and made contact with him.
Police identified the suspect as a 15 year old male juvenile.
During the investigation, officers allegedly discovered a loaded firearm concealed in the teenager's waistband.
The handgun was equipped with a machine gun conversion device, commonly called a "switch," according to police.
Such devices are designed to convert semiautomatic handguns into weapons capable of fully automatic fire, significantly increasing their potential danger.
The teenager was arrested and booked on charges of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon involving a machine gun, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Investigators also discovered that the juvenile was already on probation stemming from a previous firearm arrest, police said.
Authorities have not released additional information about the reported threat or whether the firearm was discharged.
The department said no further details would be provided at this time.
The arrest raises concerns about illegal firearm modifications and access to dangerous weapons among juveniles.
The teenager is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.