KENOSHA, Wis. (WBAY) – Tips from the community led to the arrest of a 13-year-old Kenosha Unified School District student who walked into a Roosevelt Elementary School Thursday morning carrying a backpack and a black bag, WISN reported.

“We have received numerous tips regarding the identity and location of the person depicted in the photograph. Some of these tips guided our investigation and led to the arrest of a 13-year-old KUSD student. After verifying the suspect’s location, officers were able to get the suspect to surrender,” Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton said.

Officials said the teenager is a student at Mahone Middle School who previously attended Roosevelt.

“We can confirm that we have received at least one video that shows the suspect in possession of what we believe to be a firearm. We also have information that the suspect conducted several internet searches related to school shootings prior to the incident,” Kenosha Police said.

A large police presence was reported around 9 a.m. at Roosevelt Elementary School in Kenosha following reports of a suspicious person on campus.

“So the suspect tried numerous exterior doors and entrances before coming to where our secure entrance is,” Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Weiss said.

School staff questioned the teenager in the secure entry area. Surveillance cameras showed a large black bag next to him.

The suspect fled when approached by school personnel, leading to a precautionary containment of the schools to prevent entry.

“I want to acknowledge our staff who acted quickly and engaged law enforcement so they could do their part to apprehend the suspect. They may not have known at the exact moment exactly what was happening, but their actions were heroic and prevented the unfathomable,” Weiss said.

After verifying the suspect’s location, officers were able to successfully get the suspect to surrender. That arrest happened a few blocks from the school in the 6700 block of 30th Avenue around 2 p.m., witnesses said.

Police said the investigation revealed the suspect shared videos and made several comments to fellow students for several weeks leading up to Thursday.

“This is something people have been told about his intentions growing up. We know there are internet searches and all the red flags we would look for and expect someone to report were there. They’re coming to say we narrowly missed a tragedy today and we’re just going to encourage everybody when they see something, say something, help us. Have those discussions with your children. This video should not have been seen by us today. This should have been reported to us earlier.” Patton said.

Police said they continue to ask the public for more information about Thursday’s incident.

“We want to encourage parents to talk to their children and encourage them to share videos and comments made by fellow students. Parents and/or children are asked to report this information to law enforcement immediately. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may report this information to Kenosha Crime Stoppers,” police said.

Police have not released the man’s identity or said how he got access to the gun. They said the suspect’s mother is cooperating with police but was not taken into custody Thursday.

The school district had previously scheduled a day off for students on Friday, Nov. 8, for a staff work day.

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly released a statement Thursday night. In it he says:

“I am so grateful to the Kenosha school staff for stopping a young man with a firearm from entering the building. Their quick actions protected the students and ensured no one was hurt. The threat of violence in our schools is real, and staff must prepare every day. Under the leadership of Superintendent Weiss, the staff was well trained – they saved lives today. I am so grateful for them.”

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