KENOSHA, Wis. (WBAY) – A 13-year-old Kenosha student was charged Friday with making terroristic threats after he was arrested Thursday on suspicion of plotting a school shooting.

An update from the Kenosha Police Department on Friday said a search warrant at the boy’s home turned up several replica airsoft guns and a replica rifle. No real firearms were found, and his mother told investigators the boy did not have access to firearms.

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 actually tried numerous exterior doors and entrances before he came to where our secure entrance is,” Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Weiss said.

School staff questioned the teenager in the secure entry area. The surveillance camera showed a large black bag next to him.

The suspect fled when approached by school staff, leading to a precautionary hold at the schools to prevent entry.

“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.

Police arrested the boy a few blocks from the school around 2 p.m., witnesses 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 Thursday.

He initially told detectives he went to the school to sell candy, but eventually told a social worker he “went to the school with the intention of scaring the students.”

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

“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,” Superintendent Weiss said.

“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.

Kenosha police say the boy’s mother is cooperating with the investigation and disputed rumors on social media that she was taken into custody. “We want to clarify that no further arrests have been made in connection with this investigation.”

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

Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.