Wausau East High School crest
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau East High School was put on lockdown this morning and a heavy police presence was reported on site, according to multiple witnesses at the scene.
Officers from the Wausau Police Department and EMS personnel arrived at Wausau East High School around 9:30 a.m. after receiving a call reporting multiple people shot in a bathroom. The caller terminated the call with Dispatch shortly after, and Dispatch was unable to re-establish contact.
When first responders arrived, they discovered an athletic activity with students and staff taking place in the gymnasium area. At the time, no active threats were confirmed, and ultimately no threats were found on-site.
Out of caution, officers collaborated with on-site personnel to begin a lockdown of the building. Outside the building, an incident command team was established with perimeter security, while teams of officers cleared the interior areas of the building.
Additional information learned about the phone number source indicated that the call was a “swatting” event. “Swatting” is a criminal act that involves making a false call and report to emergency services in order to cause a law enforcement response to a specific location. The Wausau Police Department has been in contact with the Wausau School District and is still investigating this incident.
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