According to a statement from the state Department of Justice on Saturday, a 14-year-old student from Mount Horeb, who was killed by police on Wednesday, pointed a Ruger .177 caliber pellet rifle at officers before being shot.
Law enforcement reports that the boy refused to drop the weapon despite orders from the officers, leading to the fatal shooting when he aimed the rifle at them.
Despite efforts to save his life, the subject passed away at the scene,” as stated in the report.
There were no other casualties. The Mount Horeb police officers involved in the incident are currently on administrative leave, in adherence with the department’s protocol.
Incident occurred at Mount Horeb Middle School at 11:11 a.m. Wednesday
The police were alerted about someone approaching Mount Horeb Middle School with a backpack and what appeared to be a long gun at 11:11 a.m. on Wednesday.
Authorities located the teenager matching the description east of the main entrance of the school at 900 E. Garfield St., according to the department.
Sources identified the student as Damian Haglund, an eighth grader at Mount Horeb Middle School, to the Journal Sentinel on Friday.
The Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul stated during a press conference on the day of the incident that the student was prevented from entering the school.
Tense moments during school lockdown
Following the incident, the middle school and four other schools in the Mount Horeb Area School District were placed on lockdown late Wednesday morning, with some remaining locked down for the rest of the day.
The district caters to approximately 2,500 students across five schools.
More:Insights about Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, where police dealt with an active shooter situation
Residents’ phones received an emergency alert warning of an active shooter at the middle school.
Parents awaiting the reunion with their children voiced concerns upon hearing of an active shooter on top of feeling a loss of security.
Many children were in tears as they were finally reunited with their parents.
Residents of the small village, located approximately 20 miles southwest of Madison, were also taken aback.
Contributions to this story were made by journalists Sophie Carson, Jessica Van Egeren, Claire Reid, Elliot Hughes, Mary Spicuzza, and Laura Schulte from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
For further information, contact Alison Dirr at [email protected].
Source: www.jsonline.com