John Muir Middle School. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Two 16-year-old males have been arrested after an incident involving a gun near John Muir Middle School on Thursday.
It started with a report of a brief verbal exchange between the teens and a group of students during recess. According to the students, one of them lifted his shirt, revealing a firearm
The students immediately told school staff and the school resource officer, who began tracking the males towards Marathon Park. The school quickly implemented a secure lockdown, bringing all students inside and locking the doors.
Police caught up to the males as they were walking out of the park near Stewart Avenue and S 8th Avenue. A firearm was recovered from the scene before the teens were taken to the Marathon County Secure Detention Facility. They will be referred to Juvenile Justice for weapons‑related offenses.
“We want to commend the students for promptly notifying staff, the school for quickly initiating a Secure, and the responding officers for their swift actions,” read a press release from the Wausau Police Department. “As noted in communication sent by the Wausau School District to John Muir Middle School families, this incident serves as an important reminder to encourage children to speak up if they see or hear anything concerning. They should report it immediately to a trusted adult and/or law enforcement.”
The incident was reported at 12:47 PM. The suspects were in custody by 12:52 PM, according to the press release.
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