Kenosha Police: Armed man attempted to enter school, now in custody

by Junna Base November 7, 2024

KENOSHA, Wis. – An armed individual who attempted to enter Roosevelt Elementary School on the morning of Thursday, November 7, is now in custody, according to Kenosha police. He was taken into custody shortly after 2 p.m

According to officials, shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday, a suspect carrying a backpack entered a secured area of the school. When approached by school staff, the man immediately fled the area – and all KUSD schools were taken into custody. Officials said this means it will be business as usual in schools, but no one can enter or exit the buildings at this time.

The suspect was taken into custody again at 2:05 p.m.

“We can confirm that it was not just a suspicious person. We believe this was indeed an armed suspect with a hand or a firearm and there was no legitimate reason for him to enter the school,” said Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton. “The only reason the individual was unable to fully enter the school was due to the quick and careful actions of school staff.”

Kenosha Police and Officials Issue Information on ‘Suspicious Person’

The chief said there was a report that another incident occurred in Gateway. He confirmed that this was unfounded.

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“We are grateful for the secured entrance to Roosevelt Elementary School, which prevented easy access to the building and our students and staff. We are grateful for our staff who courageously stop individuals and ask questions that cause individuals to question their decisions and flee.” We are grateful for the numerous law enforcement agencies that have surrounded our schools, not just in Kenosha Unified, but throughout the county. We are grateful for our staff who work with our children, your children and our students all day long to provide so much “We are grateful for our families who have trusted us to work with law enforcement to ensure the safety of their children said KUSD Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss.

KUSD Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss

Kenosha Mayor David Bogdala said this was a scary moment for many parents in the district.

“What I take away from this, and I hope everyone else does too, is that all the work and all the collaboration that goes into preparing for emergencies like this worked,” the mayor said.