Articles
'Threats of violence' at funeral cancel school
MUNSTER | Services for alleged gang member next door
September 28, 2007
BY PIET LEVY Gary Post-Tribune
St. Thomas More School in Munster is canceling classes Monday because of "a
security concern and safety issue" regarding the funeral of alleged Latin
Dragons gang member Rosalio Rincon, according to the school
and church Web sites.
A letter sent to St. Thomas More parents Thursday states, "Due to threats of violence, we believe that having school on Monday would be very unwise."
Munster public schools also alerted parents by phone about the Rincon wake today. Public schools and St. Thomas More have half days today.
Rincon, 28, was reportedly shot by a Hobart police officer after Drug Enforcement Administration agents tried to arrest him Monday in Merrillville. The Chicago resident was wanted on federal and county cocaine-dealing charges, and had confessed to being a member of the Latin Dragons gang, authorities said.
Sgt. Steve Kovacik of the Munster Police Department said wake services were set for today and Saturday, with a funeral Monday, at Burns-Kish Funeral Home, next to St. Thomas More.
Rincon's attorney, John Cantrell, confirmed that, but said services were meant to be private. Cantrell said the cancellations are unnecessary.
"The family wanted the funeral in a place that couldn't cause a potential problem, so they chose this location," Cantrell said.
Munster's Schools Supt. William Pfister said the district made the calls to parents after being notified by Munster Police Chief Nick Panich that there would be a large police presence during the services. "People can draw whatever conclusion they want," Pfister said. "I'm letting [parents] know what was going on. I'm trying to be proactive."
Rincon was named in a federal indictment, unsealed Tuesday, for cocaine distribution.
Sun-Times News Group