Wausau School District. MWC file photo.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau’s Horace Mann Middle School was the target of a swatting call on Monday.
School leaders received a call at about 10 AM that claimed there were bombs in the building that would go off at a specific time. Students were evacuated to their rally points, and Wausau Police and Fire were called in to sweep the building.
No explosives were found. Students and staff have since been allowed to return to their classrooms. Extra counselors are on hand if students need someone to talk to, and School Resource Officer Nick Stetzer is also on hand with therapy dog Timber to help students process the incident.
In a statement, school leaders added that “threats and pranks like this are not tolerated by the Wausau School District and Wausau Police Department. Anyone who makes a threat to school safety will face disciplinary and even legal action. That includes expulsion. The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our absolute top priority.”
No further details have been released. The district is working with Wausau Police to investigate the call.
Swatting incidents are fake calls designed to elicit a large police presence at a location, such as a home or school. Those who are caught swatting can face prosecution.
Similar incidents were reported in other schools across Wisconsin including Chippewa Falls High School.
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