GERMANTOWN, Wis. — Germantown School District has canceled classes for Tuesday after a school safety threat at Kennedy Middle School Monday night, according to Germantown School District.
Officers with the Germantown Police Department responded at around 6:36 p.m. to a report that a person was “acting erratically” in the parking lot of the school, the Wisconsin Department of Justice said in a news release.
A lockdown was enforced at the middle school as a result.
When police arrived, the unidentified person climbed onto the roof of the school. While on the roof, the person fired a gun at two officers who were pursuing the subject on foot. Those two officers returned fire, as did a third officer.
Following the exchange, the person was injured. First aid was rendered, but the person ultimately died at the scene.
Officials said the incident appears to be isolated. They said that there is no danger to the public, as all interactions with the person occurred outside of the school. No one else was injured during the incident, according to the DOJ.
During the incident, officials estimate there were about 50-70 students inside the school.
The school district on Monday night directed parents and guardians to collect children with an ID at MacArthur Elementary School at W154N11492 Fond du Lac Avenue.
"We are continuing to work closely with the Germantown Police Department concerning the incident this evening at Kennedy Middle School. All students, families, and staff that were in the building are safe, accounted for, and have been reunited with their families and loved ones," said the school district in a message to families.
The DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation of this case. It will be assisted by the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, the Wisconsin State Patrol, a DCI Crime Response Specialist and members of the DCI Digital Evidence Unit, according to the DOJ.
Officials said all law enforcement involved in the incident are cooperating. After reviewing the case, the DCI will turn it over to the Washington County district attorney.
The DOJ's spokesperson, Gillian Drummond, declined Tuesday morning to release the person's name, gender or age or comment on the person's behavior or why the person came to the school.
She said she couldn't release any further information due to the ongoing investigation, adding that agents need to interview witnesses and the officers involved.
Germantown School District Superintendent Chris Reuter posted a message on Facebook early Tuesday afternoon reiterating that the incident was an isolated event and there's no threat to school safety.
Reuter said classes would resume around the district on Wednesday except at the middle school since students won't be able to access the building for an unknown length of time.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.