The Kenosha Police Department arrested a 13-year-old boy believed to be armed for trying to enter Roosevelt Elementary School on Thursday.

District leaders said the teen tried to enter the school with “suspicious bags” around 9 a.m. Thursday morning. When school staff tried to talk to him, he ran out of the building and into the surrounding neighborhoods.

KPD

The 13-year-old boy was later located and arrested shortly after 2 p.m.

“We believe this was actually an armed suspect carrying a firearm and there was no legitimate reason to enter the school,” Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. he said.

Watch: ‘Possible school shootings’ foiled in Kenosha; 13 year old boy arrested

‘Possible school shootings’ stopped in Kenosha; 13-year-old boy arrested while trying to enter school

Chief Patton added that only “swift and diligent action” by school staff prevented the teen from entering the school.

Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Weiss said at the press conference: “Today we experienced what all school staff and families feared; a potential school shooting.” “We are grateful today.”

Schools in the area were safely suspended while police continued the search.

Watch the police press conference announcing the arrest:

KCSO emphasizes that there is no threat to any schools and deputies are “working with an abundance of caution.”

Read KUSD’s full press release here:

Roosevelt Affair press release with TMJ4 News on Scribd

The situation has left parents concerned about their children’s safety. Dozens of people were waiting outside Roosevelt Elementary School on Thursday afternoon.

“It’s terrible that my five-year-old is locked in a building because someone is threatening him,” Daniel Norris said. “What kind of world do we live in now?”

Other parents who spoke with TMJ4 say they’re grateful their children were unharmed, but they’re scared now that it’s supposed to be a safe space.

“We are lucky that we prayed every day before they came, but it is still not enough,” Dejah Dicko said.

Others thanked the teachers and staff who intervened to stop the suspect.

“It’s a huge relief now that it’s all over and I’m glad no one was hurt and everyone is safe,” said grandma and grandpa Marie.

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