Shorewood police: 14-year-old arrested in connection to 'hit list,' no other subjects involved
Updated: 3:03 p.m. on November 13, 2019
SHOREWOOD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Shorewood Police Department says a 14-year-old boy who created a "hit list" was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 12, and a magazine with ammunition was recovered from the suspect's backpack.
The gun matching the magazine was found by investigators off campus.
”It was verified by police that at no time was the firearm possessed by the student on or near school grounds,” said Bryan Davis, Shorewood Schools Superintendent.
Classes were canceled for the day while an investigation took place. The investigation began because of a student tip.
”We had a student who had a trusted adult that they were able to confide important information with, and we had a staff that was trained in what to do,” said Davis.
Shorewood parents were upset to learn of the hit list, but are thankful it was caught early.
”It’s just upsetting, especially when you have kids in the school district,” said James Chapman, a parent to two Shorewood School District students.
”This is what happens in the world today," said Mary Mullins, a parent to a Shorewood High School Alumna. "So I’d much rather hear it be something that’s reported as thwarted than something that was you know after the fact.”
Parents say closing all schools within the district, was the right choice.
”I was surprised to see it come in this morning, but I’m kind of glad that they took the precautions,” said Chapman.
”Addressing of it and closing the schools are fine with me. It’s just much better to be safe,” adds Mullins.
Criminal charges are being referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office.
On Nov. 13 around 1:30 a.m., police were notified by the FBI that an online tip was submitted regarding a possible second subject involved in the "hit list."
Authorities say the police department determined that there was no other subject involved.
”There were in fact no additional students that were involved,” Davis says.
Classes will resume Thursday and there will be a continued police presence at the high school for the remainder of the week. Davis wants parents to talk to their kids about school safety and share useful information. Help will be provided for students this week.
”Support for students will be made available by our school staff including our counselors throughout the upcoming days,” adds Davis.
The investigation is ongoing.
A letter from the school district to Shorewood families is below:
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Updated: 8:16 a.m. on November 13, 2019
SHOREWOOD, Wis. (CBS 58) – The Shorewood School District says it closed Wednesday, Nov. 13 due to the ongoing investigation relating to an incident involving a Shorewood High School student.
On Tuesday, a student was arrested after officials say a “hit list” was created, and the author was found in possession of a magazine loaded with ammunition.
Around 2:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Shorewood Police told the district they were following up on more information related to the incident. The FBI told police they received a tip that other people were possibly involved. At 4:30 a.m., police told the district the credibility of the threat had not been determined and likely wouldn't be until late morning.
In a statement, Shorewood Schools Superintendent Bryan Davis said:
“Because the safety of everyone in the Shorewood Schools is our top priority, the decision was made to close all of our schools until the police have completed their investigation into the tip provided to the FBI. From our communication with the Shorewood Police, we do not have any reason to believe that a threat exists at SIS, Lake Bluff or Atwater. However, we feel strongly that we need to have a resolution to this matter prior to bringing students and staff back into any of the schools.”
An update on the investigation is expected later Wednesday as well as information on when schools will resume classes.
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Posted: 6:50 a.m. on November 13, 2019
SHOREWOOD, Wis. (CBS 58) – The Shorewood School District is closed Wednesday due to safety concerns.
A district employee sent CBS 58 the following statement:
“Due to ongoing safety concerns, all schools in the Shorewood School District will be closed to students and staff on Wednesday, November 13th. More details will be sent out later this morning.”
On Tuesday, a student was arrested after officials say a “hit list” was created, and the author was found in possession of a magazine loaded with ammunition.