An armed student was killed by police near a middle school in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, after reports of an active shooter. The Wisconsin attorney general, Josh Kaul, stated that no other students or police officers were injured during the incident. The authorities did not reveal the identity of the student but confirmed that the individual was a male minor who attended a school in the Mount Horeb Area School District. The type of weapon possessed by the student was not disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the student fired at officers.
Witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing children running from the scene. The Mount Horeb Area School District had earlier posted on Facebook about the active shooter situation, clarifying that the individual had not entered the school premises. Superintendent Steve Salerno described the incident as “any parent’s nightmare” and expressed shock at the situation. The district confirmed that no additional suspects were found during an initial search of the middle school.
The school district was placed on lockdown, and students were urged to remain indoors while the police carried out their investigation. The reunification process for students and parents was ongoing, with dismissal expected to begin in stages. A parent, Melissa Alvarado, shared her distress at receiving the news of the shooting while at work and not knowing the fate of her children. The district announced that classes would be canceled the day after the incident and hoped to resume normal activities on the following day.
The village of Mount Horeb and the local chamber of commerce expressed gratitude to the police and businesses that provided shelter for students during the lockdown. Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin stated that he was closely monitoring the situation and praying for the health and safety of students, educators, and staff. Dane County Executive Joe Parisi acknowledged the impact of such incidents, causing trauma and reflection for all involved. The community rallied together to support those affected by the tragedy and offered assistance in the aftermath of the shooting.
