Teen With Rifle Arrested; Spotted By Waukesha North Students: Police

WAUKESHA, WI — After students at Waukesha North High School reported seeing a man with a gun nearby campus Friday afternoon, police within hours located and arrested a 17-year-old armed with a rifle in a backyard, according to a news release from the Waukesha Police Department.

Students reported seeing the person in the 200 block of Greenmeadow Drive, police said, which is adjacent to the high school campus. Police noted that the students quickly notified the school resource officer, just before 1 p.m., and gave a great description. The school's administration put the building on a secure status, meaning learning continued but the building was locked and nobody was allowed outside, police said. Other schools were also placed under a secure.

As police surrounded the school to safeguard it, officers searched the area for a suspect and later found the teen armed in a backyard, the news release said. After a dialogue with officers, the teen peacefully surrendered and was arrested while officers recovered the gun, police said.

"This is a true testament to the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s 'Speak Up, Speak Out' campaign," police said in the news release. "The students observed something and said something about it. These courageous students are the ones who helped safeguard the community today, to those amazing students, thank you!"

Police did not immediately release information about what exactly the teen was doing, and the district did not immediately clarify whether or not the teen was involved with the district. In a statement emailed to media, Waukesha Police Captain Dan Baumann said charging decisions and identification of the teen would happen at soonest Monday, if at all.

District Superintendent James Sebert sent the following message to families Friday:

Earlier today at 12:58 pm, Waukesha North was placed on a secure hold due to a report of
possible threatening behavior in the neighborhood of Waukesha North. Butler Middle School, Hawthorne, Lowell, and Summit View Elementary Schools also followed the secure hold procedures until they were lifted at 1:45 pm.

Secure hold procedures include not allowing students, staff, parents, or other visitors to enter or exit the building during that time. Classes continued as usual, and hallway traffic was cleared. We appreciate the cooperation and diligence of all students and staff in ensuring the best possible outcomes for all involved. The safety and security of students and staff is our top priority.