John Hart/ Wisconsin State Journal via AP
Police in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, shot and killed a student outside a local middle school after receiving reports of an individual with a weapon. The state's attorney general, Josh Kaul, confirmed that the incident occurred outdoors and that the student did not gain entry to the school building. Authorities did not disclose the age of the student but described him as a juvenile male.
Kaul declined to provide details about the events that unfolded after police arrived, including whether the student had fired a weapon or attempted to enter the school. Multiple Mount Horeb officers, equipped with body cameras, discharged their weapons, but the exact number of officers involved was not disclosed. No other individuals were harmed during the incident.
The shooting prompted a lockdown of local schools, leaving students and parents anxious as they awaited updates. Parents described scenes of chaos and fear, with children hiding and fleeing from the school gym where they had been practicing in-line skating. The district provided updates via Facebook throughout the day, assuring the community that the "alleged assailant" was the only person harmed.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing children running from the school. School buses remained parked outside the middle school, while police tape cordoned off the area. The initial search of the school did not reveal any additional suspects.
Jeanne Keller, a local shop owner, recounted hearing gunshots and witnessing children fleeing from the school. Max Kelly, a middle school student, described how his class evacuated the gym and sought refuge in a nearby convenience store and gas station. His mother, Alison Kelly, expressed disbelief and concern for her children's safety.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Dane County Sheriff's Office, were involved in the response to the incident. Anxious parents gathered at a bus depot, awaiting the release of their children. Shannon Hurd, one of the parents, expressed her desperation to be reunited with her son, who was still inside the locked-down school. Stacy Smith, another parent, recounted her panic upon receiving news of the active shooter and her relief upon confirming her children's safety.
The Mount Horeb Area School District Superintendent, Steve Salerno, emphasized the importance of recent security upgrades in mitigating the potential impact of the incident. He commended students for promptly reporting suspicious activity to school staff.
Mount Horeb, a small village known for its outdoor gear retailer and troll-themed attractions, was shaken by the tragic event. As investigations continue, the community grapples with the aftermath of the shooting, seeking answers and reassurance about the safety of its schools.
