Law enforcement situation in Sussex puts nearby schools under lockdown 

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Police activity in Waukesha County led to a lockdown at five schools in the Hamilton School District today. A man with a gun, holed up in his home, was ultimately taken into custody without incident, less than a block from Woodside Elementary in Sussex.

Woodside Elementary is quiet now. But late afternoon, this was a mess with a long line of cars that wrapped around the building. Parents, one by one, could pull up, announce their name, and then one by one, students were quietly dismissed.

"A modified student release was put into effect that did have quite the impact on parents and we thank them for their understanding in this situation, caused quite a bit of backup and difficulty with parents retrieving their students," said Lt. Nicholas Wenzel of the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.

A backup as far as the eye could see down Good Hope Road -- parents telling us they waited an hour, or more, to finally get to their kids, and all the while, it was stressful not knowing if all was well.

"Concerned I guess since we haven't heard anything yet but overall, just hoping to get him out of there soon as I can here," said parent Dan Carlson.

"I was scared, and I still am scared, I don' t know if you guys can see I'm kind of shaking," said parent Tosheanna Davis.

Parents received multiple emails from the school that turned their world upside down. The final one, expressing gratitude for the quick response from staff, and the cooperation of students.

"It sounded like the teachers did a really good job of keeping a level head and not trying to escalate things," said parent David Pflughoeft.

The public safety alert went out after a man with a gun showed up at a business in Hartland around 2:30. He fired shots into the parking lot on Richards Road.

"The suspect was described as a 37-year-old white male who fled the scene in a vehicle that was later located by the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department," said Hartland Police Chief Torin Misko.

A deputy spotted the suspect's vehicle in Sussex and followed it to the suspect's home on Water Tower Court, where he barricaded himself inside. Hamilton put five schools on lockdown, lifting all but one -- Woodside Elementary. An announcement told students to stay in their classrooms.

"Well, we were a little scared at first, but then we got used to it just sitting there," said kindergarten student Levi Pflughoeft.

At 4:25 p.m. the suspect surrendered peacefully, and parents, waiting in this long line, were finally reunited with their children.

"Very excited. They had a long time getting picked up, so we made sure we got him Culver's. Special treat. It's not an easy thing and you don't know what your six-year-old is thinking," said David Pflughoeft.

"At like the middle of the end I didn't have the scary thoughts anymore. What do you think made it better? The Culver's," said Levi Pflughoeft.

Sources tell us the gunman is a disgruntled employee of that Hartland business. Police tell us no one at the business in Hartland was struck by that gunfire. The suspect is expected to face felony charges by both Hartland police and the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.