October 24, 2023 – Germantown, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer-involved critical incident in the Village of Germantown, Wis. that occurred on the evening of Monday, October 23, 2023.
“The purpose of this conference is to assure our students, our parents, our community that they’re safe,” said Germantown Police Chief Mike Snow. Snow went on to say that investigators believe this was an isolated incident.
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“This district and this department have been committed to training students to be safe.”
Per department protocol, four officers have been placed on administrative leave. Snow said, “When [these officers] received the report of shots being fired they flew to the scene. They knew potentially children were in danger and they were willing to risk their lives to make sure that did not happen.”
Snow asked that officers be kept in prayers.
No information regarding identification of the deceased subject was given at this time. Snow said that DCI will be the ones to release any information.
Just after noon today the Germantown School District superintendent issued a statement. The Germantown PD will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. this afternoon. The School District has canceled classes at the middle school through the rest of the week.
At approximately 6:36 p.m., officers with the Germantown Police Department responded to a report of a subject acting erratically in the parking lot of Kennedy Middle School.
Upon arrival of law enforcement, the subject was able to climb onto the roof of the school and two officers pursued on foot.
The subject discharged a firearm at the officers while on the roof, and they returned fire. A third officer also discharged their firearm.
The subject suffered injuries, and first aid was rendered, but the subject died on the scene.
No other members of the public or law enforcement were injured during the incident.
This is believed to be an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public. All interactions with the subject occurred outside of the building.
At the time of the incident, approximately 50-70 students were inside the school.
Parents were reunited with those students at MacArthur Elementary
W154N11492 Fond du Lac Avenue in Germantown, Wisconsin. Questions regarding this process can be directed to the Germantown School District.
The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, per agency policy.
The Department of Justice will review all evidence and determine the facts of the incident and will turn over investigation reports to the Washington County District Attorney when the investigation concludes.
Below are details on how the story unfolded Monday night.
UPDATE | Early word is one person has been taken into custody around 10:40 p.m.
There is a large presence of law enforcement in Germantown, WI tonight in the area of Kennedy Middle School. Officials with the school district sent a note to families regarding the situation.
Dear Families,
Due to a school safety threat at Kennedy Middle School this evening, a lockdown was enforced. Germantown Police Department are at KMS presently. All students that were at KMS are being transported to MacArthur Elementary via Riteway buses.
Parents/guardians, please come to MacArthur Elementary to pick up your child(ren). Bring your ID for pickup. There will be further instructions as you arrive.
We will provide more updates as soon as we are able.
MacArthur Elementary
W154N11492 Fond du Lac Avenue
Germantown, Wisconsin 53022
Thank you,
Germantown School District
UPDATE: Neighbors in Germantown who live behind the Middle School said they “heard the shots” which were “outside the building.”
This is a working story and more information will be posted when details are available.
