Article Summary –
A 14-year-old male student was fatally shot by police outside Mount Horeb Middle School in Wisconsin after being reported as an active shooter. The student, who appeared to be armed with a long gun, was neutralized outside the school building and no other injuries were reported. The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation is leading an investigation into the incident.
Teenage Suspect Deceased After Police Confrontation Near Wisconsin Middle School
A 14-year-old suspect reported as an active shooter near Mount Horeb Middle School in Wisconsin died after a police encounter. He had approached the school with what seemed to be a long gun, sources said.
The teen was a student in the Mount Horeb Area School District, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul reported. A vehicle linked to the suspect is being investigated for evidence. Mount Horeb Police Department officers employed deadly force in response to “an individual with a weapon outside the middle school,” Kaul added.
The middle school threat was “neutralized” outside the premises with no injuries reported among students or staff, the school district reported. The individual did not breach the school’s entryway.
Kaul did not verify if the suspect fired any shots due to the ongoing investigation. No further suspects were found after initial school searches, and all students and staff are safe. The situation does not pose an ongoing threat to public safety, Kaul assured.
Wisconsin’s Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the incident investigation. Certain Horeb police officers are on leave following standard procedures after a use-of-force incident, Kaul explained.
The school district initiated a lockdown around 11:15 a.m. local time. School administrators advised students to stay inside pending police approval for dismissal. The district has since started releasing some students.
Superintendent Steve Salerno of Mount Horeb School District expects a decision on the full return to school soon. Salerno praised staff safety measures such as vestibules and locked front doors for preventing a worse outcome.
“This could have been a far worse tragedy,” Salerno said.
The FBI confirmed their presence at the scene and assistance with local partners. Mount Horeb community officials acknowledged the “swift and courageous” response of the school district and emergency personnel.
The village of Mount Horeb’s president Ryan Czyzewski and Mount Horeb Chamber Board chair Kara Brandemuehl commended the community’s response in a joint statement.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said he is “closely monitoring” the situation, and has extended full support to the school community.
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