Teen charged with making terroristic threats after Wisconsin school shooting scare, but no real guns found
CHICAGO (CBS/AP) — A 13-year-old boy appeared in court in Wisconsin on Friday, accused of making terroristic threats after what police initially described as a school shooting threat. But police said a search of the boy's home later found no real guns, only replicas.
Officials said a 13-year-old middle school student showed up at Roosevelt Elementary School with a backpack and a black duffel bag on Thursday morning. Staff approached the teen as he tried to get in a side entrance, but he ran away.
Police have said the teen had researched school shootings online, and had filmed a video wielding what investigators initially believed was a rifle, but a search of his home later turned up only replica firearms, not any real guns.
The teen has been charged with one count of terroristic threats, and is due to appear in court Friday morning. Police have not released the boy's identity.
Thursday afternoon, police said they believed the boy had a firearm when he tried to enter the school, but fled when school staff approached him. He was later arrested at his home after he surrendered.
Police received at least one video of the student wielding what investigators initially believed was a rifle, Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton said on Thursday. The chief played a video at a Thursday news conference that shows the student holding what police believed was a firearm as he appeared to practice room-entry techniques.
Friday morning, police said a search of the teen's home found several airsoft replica handguns and a replica rifle, but no real firearms. The teen's mother has been cooperating with the investigation and told police the boy does not have access to real firearms.
Detectives questioned the boy, who initially claimed he went to the school to sell candy, but later told a social worker he went there to scare students.
Investigators also found internet searches for school shootings and said the teen made comments to other students about shootings.
The teen attends Mahone Middle School and was a former Roosevelt Elementary student, police said.
All Kenosha Unified schools were placed on a "secure hold" lockdown for the rest of Thursday. There are no classes Friday at the school; the district had previously scheduled a day off for students for a staff work day.