MONROE — Two local school districts faced threats last week. After investigations, officials in both cases determined the threats to not be legitimate.

After instruction for the day ended in Monroe on Nov. 21, a middle school student showed up on school grounds and flashed what appeared to be a gun at other students, who promptly told a staff member. Very quickly Monroe Police were involved, though the suspect left the scene. 

Officers later made contact with the student and determined the weapon to be a non-lethal airsoft gun.

“After school hours, a MMS student came onto the playground and displayed an airsoft gun in his waistband to students,” Principal Matt Brown wrote in an email to parents that evening. “He then left the school grounds. The students alerted a teacher who contacted the Monroe PD and MMS administration immediately. Due to the quick actions of the students and teacher, the police were able to make personal contact with the student off school grounds and were able to secure the airsoft gun. Thankfully, no one was hurt at MMS or in the community.”

Joe Monroe, Director of Pupil Services, sent a recorded message by phone to district parents and staff shortly after the incident. Brown said the Monroe Police Department and the school district have an ongoing investigation into the incident.

“Safety is our number one priority, and I am grateful for the quick actions of our students and staff,” Brown said. “Our best way to prevent a tragedy is for our students to report what they are hearing and seeing in person and online. ‘If You See Something, Say Something.’”

Less than 12 hours later, law enforcement in neighboring Lafayette County had a potential incident of its own. After a tip from state officials, the sheriff’s office and Darlington Police were notified of a potential threat to a local school in a social media post.

“On Nov. 22 at 12:49 a.m., the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center, of a social media post, which made reference to a potential school shooting,” Sheriff Reg Gill said in a press release later that morning. “The post was flagged due to the language used.”

According to Gill, the post was made in rural Lafayette County. Contact was made with the juvenile, who admitted to creating the post.

“Lafayette County Sheriff’s deputies, assisted by the Darlington Police Department, fully investigated the information that was provided,” Gill said. “Through the investigation of this matter, it was determined the creator of the post did not present a legitimate threat and displayed no ill intent toward actually carrying out the mentioned threat.”

Gill added that “any such comments made verbally or through social media are taken seriously and are fully investigated.” He said the investigation will result in a referral to Lafayette County Juvenile Intake, as well as possible repercussions within the school system for the student.