On Monday, October 23, 2023, in Germantown, Wisconsin, an individual was fatally shot on Kennedy Middle School’s roof after he targeted the responding police officers.
At about 6:30 pm, the Germantown Police Department headed to the school because of reports regarding a man displaying unusual behavior in the school’s parking zone. Interestingly, this man’s vehicle bore out-of-state license plates, and he appeared to have no relation to Germantown or its school.
Before this event, the man had been at a car repair establishment in Germantown, where he acted erratically. He then directed himself to Kennedy Middle School. Around 70 students and 20 staff members were in the school due to post-school activities. The man tried to access the school, but the locked doors prevented him. Choosing to climb the school’s roof, he started shooting at the police.
Three officers responded by shooting at the man. He was hit, and in spite of the immediate medical attention, he died there. No other person was harmed during this event. As a precaution, students in the school were placed under lockdown.
Sharing her experience, seventh-grader Samantha Scherdin said, “So much was happening at once. We, my friends and I, grouped together, scared and crying. We were told to be silent. We could hear the noise of gunshots and loud voices.”
Acting swiftly after the shooting, school district officials facilitated the transfer of students to MacArthur Elementary School, a short distance away. Parents were told to carry IDs for child retrieval. By the following morning, it was confirmed that all students and staff had safely returned to their families.
The school district used social media to keep everyone updated. They stated that this incident was singular and assured everyone of their safety. They made clear that the entire encounter with the shooter was outside the school’s structure.
Following these events, the school was closed the subsequent day. The investigation was passed on to the Department of Justice. Adhering to routine, the officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave.