Police in Wisconsin fatally shot an armed boy outside a middle school on Wednesday morning, according to law enforcement officials.
The boy, a student in the Mount Horeb School District, was confirmed to be armed by Josh Kaul, the state attorney general, during an afternoon press briefing. The boy was shot and killed by officers outside the school before he could enter the building, Kaul stated.
"There was concern for a period of time today that there was an ongoing threat related to this incident. We currently believe that there is no ongoing threat to public safety. However, this is an ongoing investigation, and we will update the public if any additional threat to safety is discovered," Kaul said.
The shooting, which occurred about 20 miles west of Madison, was reported shortly after 11:15 a.m. local time. Mount Horeb Area School District Superintendent Dr. Steve Salerno stated in a social media post, "The threat has been neutralized outside of the building. Law enforcement is circulating throughout the middle school to confirm the safety of all students."
Kaul explained that officers responded to a report of "an individual with a weapon" outside the middle school and used "deadly force" to neutralize the threat. He confirmed that no students or school staff were injured, and the process of reuniting parents and students would continue through Wednesday night.
He declined to provide specific information about the student or the weapon, citing the ongoing investigation. The Wisconsin Department of Justice will lead the investigation, with additional assistance from the agency's Office of School Safety.
"The safety of students and school staff is our number one priority. We want to thank the parents and community members of Mount Horeb for their patience as this process took place to ensure the safety of students and school staff," Kaul said.
Salerno echoed Kaul's statements, praising the "amazing staff" and community support. He encouraged parents and caregivers to "restore a sense of safety" by providing reassurance and a safe environment for children to express their feelings.
Mount Horeb School District schools will be open on Thursday to support students and staff. Salerno emphasized the importance of taking time to rest and process the events of the day. He expressed hope that students and staff could return on Friday, pending further assessment.
"We're beyond grateful for the community's support of our beautiful children and our loving staff," Salerno said.