Active shooter 'neutralized' outside Wis. middle school, no injuries to students reported

Publish date: 2024-07-25

MOUNT HOREB, Wis. (TND) — An active shooter was "neutralized" outside a Wisconsin middle school and there were no reported injuries to anyone inside the school, district officials said Wednesday.

The Mount Horeb Area School District first posted about the incident on Facebook, confirming there was an active shooter near the middle school Wednesday morning and saying "the individual did not breach entryway." The district added that police were helping to "scope" out Mount Horeb Middle School to keep staff and students safe.

The district went into full lockdown just after 11:15 a.m. and advised people not to visit the campus while officers continued to sweep the area.

A little while later, school officials said they had not received reports of anyone being harmed "with the exception of the alleged assailant." No additional suspects were located during the initial search of the middle school.

Officials did not provide details on the identity of the suspect or the injuries this person sustained.

Earlier, the district had posted that “the threat has been neutralized outside of the building” but didn't give further details of what had happened at the school, some 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of the state capital of Madison.

Witnesses said they heard gunshots and saw children running down the street.

The district had begun releasing some students of other schools by early afternoon and anxious parents gathered at a bus depot waiting to be reunited with their kids.

Shannon Hurd, 44, told the Associated Press she found out about the active shooter after receiving a text from her 13-year-old son, Noah, saying he loved her.

I just want my kid,” Hurd said. “They’re supposed to be safe at school, in Mount Horeb of all places.”

The district posted another update later in the evening thanking the community and saying students had not yet been released but officials were working to make sure they are "safe, comfortable, and fed" as the investigation continues.

Any additional information about the reunification process will be sent in partnership with on-scene first responders," the update read. "I never cease to be amazed by the loving dedication and support by the adults in this community for our beautiful children."

Heidy Lange, the owner of Firefly Events Decor & Flowers, told the AP she was in her florist shop near the school when she witnessed children running and "probably 50 cop cars from everywhere."

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Editor's note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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