Concerned student reaches out to police, helps thwart possible violence at Oconomowoc H.S.
OCONOMOWOC -- Oconomowoc police say a concerned student reached out to police -- and helped thwart possible violence at Oconomowoc High School. That concerned student informed police of text messages she had received from a classmate, indicating he planned to bring a gun to school to shoot students this past Monday, November 9th -- and then commit suicide.
Police were contacted by the concerned student on Saturday, November 7th.
Police then looked at several text messages that confirmed the intentions of the male student. That student was out of town at the time the text messages were received, according to police.
"He was referring that he was going to shoot up the school," Oconomowoc Police Chief David Beguhn said. "The text messaging involved that he was forewarning her not to go to school on Monday because he was going to take a gun to school and shoot up the school."
On Sunday, that student returned to the area, and he was interviewed by investigators with his parents.
"After some discussion it was decided to take him into protective custody and have him sent to a mental health facility for an evaluation," Chief Beguhn said.
The 15-year-old student was taken into protective custody -- and placed into a mental health facility for evaluation.
Police say there was a weapon in the boy's home -- owned by an adult. That weapon is now with police.
Oconomowoc High School
"We don't believe anybody else was involved. This was one student and it's our hope that the young man gets the help that he needs," Chief Beguhn said.
Police reached out to school officials regarding the threats allegedly made by this 15-year-old student.
Classes went on as scheduled on Monday.
Right now, police are more focused on getting this young man the help he needs, than they are on criminal charges.
Police have sent a report to the district attorney for review.
School district officials say when a threat like this is made, the student is immediately suspended and could face expulsion.
The following letter was sent to parents by the Oconomowoc High School principal:
"November 10, 2015
Dear Parents: I am writing to you to let you know of some events over the weekend that are of interest to all of us. I was alerted on Saturday, by the Oconomowoc Police Department, that they were investigating a series of threats made over social media, by one of the Oconomowoc High School students. The series of events involved a student communicating to another student that he had plans to shoot students and then to commit suicide. The student to whom this was communicated appropriately contacted the police department. In the process of their investigation, the police have confirmed the intentions of the student through communications sent out to other students.
As a parent and principal, I am well aware of the seriousness of the news that I am sharing with you. Please know that the Oconomowoc Police have taken the steps within their authority to ensure the safety of our students and that they did so swiftly. It is important for you to also know that we are also treating this incident with the same seriousness and will act in every way we can to ensure the safety of our students.
I am proud of the students who came forward to ensure the safety of the rest of the students at OHS. Please reinforce this message with your children. In today’s world, it is never acceptable to threaten the safety of another person, but certainly, everyone needs to know, that these types of threats will be dealt with in a serious and swift manner. I am also grateful to the police who have worked in concert with us as we have moved through this situation and have assisted us every step of the way.
If more develops with regard to this situation we will be in contact again. For now, know that we have acted quickly to ensure the safety of our students and will continue to keep their safety as our number one priority.
Sincerely, Joseph Moylan, Ph.D. Oconomowoc High School Principal"
Oconomowoc Area School District officials have issued this statement:
"Over the past weekend, the Oconomowoc Police Department received information that an Oconomowoc High School student had made threats to bring a gun to school on Monday, November 9 with the intention of harming students and himself. Further investigation showed that the intentions of the student were credible. The police department informed school officials and immediate action was taken. The student was not at school on Monday, November 9, and there was no threat to student safety.
Any threats made against our schools, students or staff are taken extremely seriously, and we will do everything in our power to keep our schools safe. The student is not allowed on our high school campus or any other school district property. We want our parents and community to know we have acted quickly to ensure the safety of our students, and we keep their safety as our number one priority. The Oconomowoc Area School District continues to cooperate with authorities during the investigation."
In a statement to FOX6 News, Oconomowoc police said:
"Any threats made concerning our students are taken seriously -- and this incident has been handled as a cooperative effort by the police and school officials. School officials have been made aware of the student's current placement, and any future action concerning the student's attendance will be determined by the school district."
Police say reports concerning this investigation have been forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for review and possible charged."