Man accused of pointing gun inside MPS school



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- FOX6 News has learned on Monday, February 3rd, a man had a gun at an MPS school. Because that man hasn't been charged with a crime, FOX6 News is not naming him. Fortunately, no one was injured, but a school district's safety policy was certainly tested.

At the Washing Well Laundromat on Milwaukee's East Side, clothing is normally tossed around inside dryers, but FOX6 News has learned a student was tossed outside -- leading to an arrest and a police investigation at a nearby school.

A law enforcement source says on Monday morning, February 3rd, an 18-year-old Riverside University High School student went in to use the bathroom at the laundromat.

Something happened, and a 72-year-old worker at the laundromat threw the teen out. A struggle followed, and the worker was accused of pointing a handgun at the student.

The 72-year-old is then accused by law enforcement of following the teen to Riverside High, where he pointed the gun at at least one employee inside the school.

FOX6 News spoke with a woman who lives near the man accused of pointing the gun, and is also an educator.

"What would cause him to pull a gun? I don't know. I worry about the safety of people, because if this gentleman goes and does this and walks into a school, what would keep him from going further with this? What would set him off?" that woman said.

FOX6 News visited the worker's listed home to ask him what happened, but he wasn't there.

FOX6 News has learned the 72-year-old laundromat worker does not have a criminal history.

Milwaukee Public Schools said in a statement: "We are working with police as they investigate an incident that began in the community and briefly spilled over onto school property. At no time were students in the school endangered. We applaud staff who acted quickly."