A 14-year-old boy was shot dead by police as he approached a middle school brandishing a gun.
The unidentified intruder was shot and killed Wednesday morning while trying to enter Mount Horeb Area Middle School in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.
Parents described their children hiding in closets, afraid to communicate on the phone, and one middle school student said his class first fled the school gymnasium on rollerblades.
Schoolchildren, residents and nearby businesses reported hearing five gunshots, likely when police opened fire.
After hours of terror, school district Superintendent Steve Salerno said the “shooter” did not make it through the front doors before he was shot.
The Mount Horeb Area School District was put on lockdown after an active shooter entered a middle school Wednesday.
The Mount Horeb Area School District first alerted parents of the shooter in a text message shortly before 11 a.m.
“They are armed with a rifle and must be considered dangerous. For your safety, stay indoors, lock all doors and avoid the area until further notice,” he said.
The district then posted on Facebook around 11:30 a.m., after the shooter had already been shot at least 15 minutes earlier.
Police “scooped” the campus and bomb squads checked a car linked to the shooter while the school was on lockdown from 11:16 a.m. to about noon.
“An initial search of the college did not reveal any additional suspects,” the district said after receiving the green light.
“Equally important, we have no reports of any individuals being injured, other than the alleged attacker.
“You would be so proud of our students and staff, and we are so grateful to our first responders.”
No injuries were reported at Mount Horeb Middle School, located about a half-hour drive from Madison.
“Our students will remain in strict confinement in all our buildings. Law enforcement is circulating throughout the school to confirm the safety of all students,” the district wrote on Facebook.
“Again, do not report to any of our schools at this time. Once we have confirmed everyone is safe, we will begin the off-site reunification process with families.
A strong police presence was noted outside the college after the suspect was neutralized.
Authorities asked people to stay away from college
A large police presence was seen outside the college as officers ensured the building was secure.
Only students from the nearby elementary school had been released by 5 p.m., while school officials waited for police to complete their investigation.
“We are working to continue to ensure children are safe, comfortable and fed,” the school district wrote.
School buses remained lined up for blocks outside, and authorities used police tape to surround the middle school, the neighboring high school and the playgrounds between the two buildings.
People gather at a designated parent-student meeting site following a report of an armed person outside Mount Horeb Middle School.