Loaded gun recovered at Bradford High School in Kenosha, student arrested

KENOSHA Wis. (CBS 58) --  A 16-year-old student is in custody after a loaded firearm was recovered at Bradford High School early Wednesday, Feb. 11.

According to Superintendent Jeff Weiss with Kenosha Unified School District, a staff member at Bradford received a tip overnight that a student may come to school with a weapon.

"We follow up on all tips, we take them all seriously," Weiss said. "We train for cases just like this."

Kenosha Police Department said school administrators and a school resource officer tried to search the student on his way into the building around 7:30 a.m., but the student resisted.

Administrators put the building on a secure hold, meaning students and staff had to say inside classrooms, and no one was allowed in or out of the building.

That's when Jenna Rodriguez, a parent of two Bradford students, received texts from her daughters.

"They just reached out right away like, we're on lockdown, we don't know what's happening," Rodriguez said. "One daughter was immediately pushed into a library, so she couldn't make it to class, and she said she saw a cop run by."

According to an email sent to parents by Principal JJ Kotarak, the hold was announced at 7:32 a.m.

When offers got the student under control, they found a concealed loaded gun and placed the teen under arrest.

Administrators lifted the lockdown at 8:10 a.m., at the end of first period.

According to KUSD, there were no threats made directly to students, staff, or the community.

A lieutenant with KPD expressed gratitude to the people who came forward with information about the gun, saying in a press release that the information likely helped prevent "a tragedy in our community."

The school district echoed that praise.

"We're really working on trying to create that culture as, if you see something, say something. And that was what hopefully prevented a tragedy today," said Superintendent Weiss.

Police expect multiple criminal charges to be filed, and an investigation is still underway. Officers remained at the school throughout the day.

Clara Durand, a parent of a junior at Bradford High School, was concerned by a text from her son during the lockdown.

"He said that police came running into the school and he actually texted us saying he didn't feel safe," she said.

Durand told CBS 58 she called the school to ask what was going on and was told by the attendance office that it was a medical emergency.

She was frustrated when she received an email from KUSD minutes later, saying it was a student with a firearm.

"As parents we need that clarification, especially if they want us to be able to trust them with our kids," Durand said.

Superintendent Weiss said he couldn't confirm that parents were told by staff it was a medical emergency, but if so, it was a mistake.

"I imagine it was in the confusion of the event, going into a hold. We do holds for medical situations as well," Weiss explained.

Other parents also commented on KUSD's communication regarding the incident.

"I personally always find that our district communication leans more heavily on the legality of situation, and leans sometimes more ambiguous," Rodriguez said. "Sometimes it leaves parents with more questions than answers."

Despite that, Rodriguez was appreciative of Principal Kotarak's email to parents later in the day that outlined the situation.

"Not only does he take the importance of the legality and the logistics of a situation, but he takes into consideration where a parent is, their mind-space at the time," Rodriguez said. "He's very thoughtful."

Bradford Families and Staff, 

This morning, we received an anonymous Speak Up, Speak Out tip indicating that a student may bring a weapon to school. Upon the student’s arrival, administrators and the school resource officer immediately conducted a search and located a firearm. The SRO secured the weapon and took the student into custody. During the search, the student became uncooperative, and we temporarily placed the building in a hold while additional police arrived to assist. At no time were threats made toward our students, staff or the school community. The hold has been lifted, and we return to business as usual. We are very proud of how well our students conducted themselves during today’s hold, helping to ensure everyone’s safety. We are grateful to the individual who reported the concern and to law enforcement for their quick response. We ask for your continued partnership in reinforcing the importance of "see something, say something." Individuals can report concerns anonymously through Speak Up, Speak Out. - KUSD Email 

The Kenosha Unified School District has a Personal & Policy Committee meeting Thursday, Feb. 12, at 8:00 p.m. In that meeting, a policy proposal will be discussed regarding student safety, and the consideration of metal detectors at Kenosha County schools. Click here to learn more