Fairview South temporarily locked down following threat

BROOKFIELD (WITI) -- Fairview South School in Brookfield was on lockdown for about 30 minutes Thursday morning, January 24th following a threat from a student.

According to officials, a 15-year-old student had made comments to other students about bringing a gun to school Thursday.  The students told a staff member of the threat before school started, and police were contacted.  The lockdown was issued immediately.

There are about 60 students who go to Fairview South School.  It is a facility for students with special needs and they are bused in from other schools and school districts.

Several squads with the Brookfield Police Department responded to the school and were notified of the vehicle the student would be boarded. Officers set up a perimeter in the surrounding neighborhood -- then waited for the transport van to arrive.

"When the van arrived near the school, the van was stopped. There was only one student (on the van), the suspect. That student was taken into custody -- and he did not have a weapon," Brookfield Police Captain Phil Horter said.

Police credit the swift action by school officials and say at no time was anyone in any danger.

"There actually never was any real threat to the students or the staff and everything at Fairview South is back as a normal school day," Captain Horter said.

Police say the 15-year-old student was questioned Thursday morning.  Since threats to schools are taken seriously, investigators will recommend any potential criminal charges to the District Attorney.

Classes have resumed as scheduled at Fairview South and police do not believe there is any other threat to the school.

The Elmbrook School District has notified parents of the situation.