2 Wis. Teens Shot Outside of High School Prom
The suspected gunman was shot by police and later declared dead at a nearby hospital.
Police say an 18-year-old was killed after he opened fire on two prom attendees outside of a Wisconsin high school April 23.
A gunman was reportedly shot by a responding police officer outside of the Antigo High School building where students were celebrating prom, according to CNN.
The gunman, a former student who was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, shot two teens from a distance as they were leaving the prom. The suspect reportedly possessed a high-powered rifle and a large ammunition clip.
One of the victims, a male student, underwent surgery Saturday night after being shot in the leg. The other victim, a female from out of town, was released from a nearby hospital shortly after the shooting, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Police patrolling the parking lot heard the gunshots around 11 p.m. and responded in seconds. The Antigo Police Department explained in a statement that “an officer immediately fired upon the shooter, stopping the threat.”
A student at the prom says Antigo police entered the building and moved students to one corner. Around 2 a.m., the prom building was evacuated and all attendees got home safely. A parent estimates around 100 to 120 students attended the prom, though some had left before the shooting occurred.
A thorough search of the high school was conducted and classes resumed as scheduled Monday. Counseling services have been made available and there will be a heightened police presence at the school this week.
A search warrant is being executed at the suspected gunman’s residence as the investigation continues.
The shooter, who was wearing camouflage pants and a dark top, was a senior at Antigo High School in 2015, although the interim district administrator says he did not graduate with his classmates. Students who knew the suspect describe him as introverted and say he was bullied. The suspect had reportedly been dating a current student at the school who broke up with him last month, according to CBS News. Police have not yet released a motive.
The Unified School District of Antigo praises the police response for securing the building so quickly. An administrator says it appeared the gunman intended to go into the dance and start shooting randomly, but police stopped him before he could enter the building.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation will lead an outside review of the officer-involved shooting.
Antigo is a small farming community about 150 miles north of Milwaukee. Antigo High School enrolls roughly 750 students.
Read Next: Police Believe Gun Store Owner Stopped School Shooting
If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!
