Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin have taken a 13-year-old boy in custody after what they say was a thwarted attempt at a school shooting. Authorities say that the boy attempted to enter his former elementary school with a backpack and black duffel bag, trying multiple entrances unsuccessfully before being mistaken for a student and buzzed in. He was then confronted by staff at the entrance before fleeing into a nearby neighborhood.
The school, Roosevelt Elementary, was placed on a “secure hold” after the suspect fled, meaning that the day continued to proceed normally, but without anyone let in or out.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton stated that authorities “saturated the area” where the suspect was believed to have fled, and with the help of other local law enforcement agencies and tips from the community, converged on his location and were “successfully able to convince the suspect to surrender” just after 2 p.m. Patton also stated that police had obtained a video taken by the suspect, which they shared at the press conference, showing the boy practicing “rudimentary techniques” with what appears to be a rifle. The police chief was unable to confirm the date that the video was taken, only that they had obtained it that day. Patton also stated that police had information indicating that the suspect had “performed multiple internet searches related to school shootings prior to the incident.”
The suspect’s identity and likeness are being withheld, as he is a minor and so far has not been charged. Authorities did not confirm if he had firearms with him when he was detained, though they claim that they believe the duffel bag which he brought to the school contained weapons.
Wisconsin has no laws that restrict the sale of assault weapons, limit magazine capacity, or that require a permit for open carry.
