MOUNT HOREB, Wisconsin – Chaos broke out at Mount Horeb Middle School on Wednesday as police shot and killed an armed student in a tense “active shooter” situation. Students fled for their lives, some even escaping on in-line skates. Thankfully, no one else was harmed in the incident, according to State Attorney General Josh Kaul.
Authorities swiftly responded to reports of an active shooter at the school, preventing the student with a gun from gaining entry. The identity of the juvenile male suspect remains undisclosed, and it is still unclear how many officers fired their weapons or if the suspect shot at them.
Throughout the day, parents anxiously awaited the safe return of their children, many of whom were locked down inside the school for hours. Terrified students hid in closets, afraid to use their phones to contact their parents.
The tense situation finally subsided as police cleared the building, leading to the reunification of students and their families later in the day.
Schools in the district will remain closed on Thursday to allow students and staff time to recover from the traumatic event. Superintendent Steve Salerno hopes to resume classes on Friday. Mount Horeb, with a population of about 7,600, is located approximately 25 miles west of the state capital, Madison.
As investigations into the incident continue, the community grapples with the realization that nowhere seems to be safe anymore. Governor Tony Ever expresses concern and assures residents that he is closely monitoring the situation.