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    • Potential school shootings stopped in Kenosha; 13 year old boy arrested
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    Potential school shootings stopped in Kenosha; 13 year old boy arrested

    Harry Posted on

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    Kenosha police arrested a 13-year-old boy with a rifle in his bag who tried to enter an elementary school but fled when staff approached him.

    The teenager, a Mahone Middle School student, arrived at Roosevelt Elementary School Thursday morning with what police initially described as “suspicious bags,” and officers later arrested him, police said at a news conference. Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton said the department received video earlier in the day showing the student using a weapon that appeared to be a firearm.

    “We recognize that this incident could have resulted in tragedy,” Patton said. “We are pleased to report that, thanks to the joint efforts of the Kenosha Unified (School District) and various law enforcement agencies, this incident ended peacefully.”

    School officials said the student only reached the school’s “secure entrance gate” and did not enter the school. Kenosha Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss said the suspect fled into the neighborhood after school officials approached him and began questioning him.

    Weiss called the staff “heroic” and noted that safe entry to the school provides additional protection. Weiss said the teen tried to get into other doors of the school, which were locked, before going through the secure entrance.

    Weiss said this entrance has two doors, the first providing access to the office and the second to the school. The young man entered the first door but could not go beyond it. There, a school staff member approached the student, at which point the student “became nervous and fled the building.”

    “They may not have known exactly what happened at that moment, but their actions were heroic and they prevented the unthinkable,” Weiss said of the staff.

    Kenosha police said they arrested the boy in the 6700 block of 30th Street. Authorities said there was no reason for the teenager to enter the school.

    Patton said the investigation showed the suspect had been searching online about school shootings and making comments directed at other students in recent weeks. Patton said the video showed the teen practicing room entry techniques.

    The police chief said these are things the department should have known before Thursday. He called on the community and parents to report “red flags.”

    “This is something that needs to be known. This is something that people were told about his growing intent. We know that there are searches on the internet and all the red flags are there that we would look for and wait for someone to report,” Patton said. “We narrowly missed a tragedy today.”

    The student’s attempt to enter the school led the Kenosha Unified School District to place all schools in a secure location, meaning schools were operating as usual but no one could enter or leave the building. Area It was announced around 14.40 He said the safe hold has been lifted and school closures will be held as usual.

    Patton said they also investigated the report of a shooter at Gateway Technical College, but that stemmed from a report from someone who received the initial police report about the elementary school incident and misinterpreted it.

    Tanya Ruder, the school district’s chief communications officer, said the school district has secured all schools in line with guidance from the Kenosha Police Department.

    Lt. Joshua Hecker, the department’s public information officer, said the countywide arrest was for security reasons because the suspect was wanted by police. He said the department is cooperating with the county, the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department and the Pleasant Prairie Police Department in the investigation.

    “We understand the massive outcry and fear in the community,” the chief said in sharing the video and police response. “We want to make sure you understand what’s causing this reaction.”

    In a statement released earlier in the day, the Kenosha school district said the sheriff’s department and Pleasant Prairie police were present at all county schools and assisting patrols searching for the suspect.

    Frank Elementary School published on social media reported on the incident shortly after noon, saying that afternoon 4K classes were canceled and remaining 4K students were being held.

    “We realize this may cause concern, but we assure you this is being done for the safety of students, staff and families. KUSD is working closely with KUSD.” Kenosha Police Department to find the suspect as quickly as possible,” the school said in its post.

    Jill Underly, the state superintendent of public instruction, released a statement Thursday night.

    “I am so grateful to the school staff in Kenosha for preventing a teenager with a firearm from entering the building,” he said. “Their quick actions protected students and ensured no one was injured. The threat of violence in our schools is real, and staff must prepare every day. Under Superintendent Weiss’ leadership, the staff was well trained; they saved lives today. I am very grateful. We are grateful to them.”

    Drake Bentley contributed to this report.

    David Clarey can be reached at: [email protected].

    This story has been updated to add new information.

    Harry
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