A 13-year-old boy who tried to enter an elementary school in Kenosha, Wis., with a gun was taken into custody after staff threatened him Thursday morning, police said.
According to the Kenosha Police Department, just after 9 a.m. Thursday, a suspicious juvenile entered a secure area of the school wearing a backpack.
The boy ran away as soon as he was approached by school staff. After that, all schools in the Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) were closed, classes were held as normal in the buildings, and no one was allowed in or out.
Police said in a press conference that they received several tips that a suspect was in the area, which ultimately led to finding the suspect, a 13-year-old KUSD student. Responding officers convinced the boy to turn himself in before he was arrested.
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A Kenosha, Wisconsin, teen who allegedly tried to break into an elementary school with a gun can be seen on video practicing what police call an “entry technique.” (Kenosha Police Department)
Video shared by police during the press conference shows the arrested teen holding a rifle inside the home.
Officials said the video appears to show the boy practicing “room entry techniques.”
Investigators also found that the boy had been searching the internet for school shootings before Thursday's incident.
Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton said, “We believe this was in fact an armed suspect in possession of a firearm and that there was no probable cause for him to be at the school.” “The only reason this individual was not fully admitted to the school is due to the prompt and diligent actions of school staff.”
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Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, arrested a 13-year-old boy after he allegedly tried to enter an elementary school while armed. (St. Petersburg)
KUSD Superintendent Jeff Weiss told reporters that the boy attempted to enter the elementary school multiple times, explaining that the student checked several doors and entrances before making his way to a secure entrance.
“Today we experienced a potential school shooting that every school employee and family fears,” Weiss said.
Weiss emphasized that when Roosevelt was built, the school was built to evacuate students in the event of a fire, not for the challenges schools face today, such as shootings.
In the letter obtained by FOX 6 in MilwaukeeIn a message sent to the school community, Weiss informed parents that the district had put in place safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
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“Our staff and students, along with our law enforcement partners, regularly review, plan, and train for incidents like the one we encountered this morning in Roosevelt. We do not take this lightly. ,” Professor Weiss said. “We are grateful that Roosevelt Elementary School has a secure entrance that prevents easy access to the building, students and staff. I am grateful to the staff member who asked the question that led me to get away with it.”
“We are grateful to the multiple law enforcement agencies that stepped up to surround our schools, not just at Kenosha Unified, but throughout the county,” he added. “Thank you to our staff who continue to work throughout the day to provide as much normalcy as possible for our children, your children, and our students, despite the fear they may be facing. We are grateful to the families who have placed their trust in us by working with law enforcement to keep children safe. ”
