WATERTOWN, Wis. (WFRV) – Police in Wisconsin were called upon on Tuesday to investigate multiple reports of a potential threat towards a middle school, authorities say.
According to a release from the Watertown Police Department, police were notified at 4:45 p.m. of multiple reports of possible threats made by a student towards the Riverside Middle School.
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Officials say they first received a report from the school resource officer, who was given a complaint that a student had made statements about bringing a weapon to school.
Police also got an anonymous tip via the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Speak Up, Speak Out Wisconsin program stating that a student had overheard another making comments about a possible school shooting.
Officers from the Watertown Police Department immediately began an investigation into both reports and interviews with several students and parents revealed both reports to be related.
Through continued interviews, police were able to identify the student responsible for the threatening comments, with the student admitting to talking about having a gun and bomb at the school but claiming the comments were intended as a joke.
Police, along with the student’s parents, searched the student’s home and belongings and did not find any weapons, explosive materials, or any evidence of a credible threat.
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Both the student and their parents were cooperative throughout the investigation, with the student currently being kept out of school as the investigation continues. The student’s return to school will be determined by the Watertown Unified School District following its review of the completed investigation.
At this time, no other information is available and police say there is no credible threat to the Riverside Middle School or the surrounding community. Potential charges could be issued as an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
