Police Stop School Shooting, 14-Year-Old Killed

(ProsperNews.net) – Police shot and killed a 14-year-old in Wisconsin, saying he was about to commit a school shooting but was “neutralized” just in time. Officers responded to calls from Mount Herob Middle School in Dane County on the afternoon of May 1, and when they arrived, they found an armed teenager near the school entrance. Witnesses said they heard gunshots as schools in the district were placed into lockdown.

Panicked parents described being unable to reach their children, with one mother explaining to reporters how frightened she was to receive a call at work saying there was a shooting at her child’s school. Officers reassured parents that no children were hurt.

Details later emerged confirming that the would-be shooter was a student at the Mount Herob school. During a subsequent press conference, Department of Justice officials told reporters that the teenager was armed with a pellet gun, which he aimed at police when they ordered him to drop it. They then shot the teenager, who died at the scene. There were no other injuries, and the dead student was identified as Damian Haglund, who had reportedly compiled a manifesto including the names of fellow students he wanted to murder. On the day of his intended killing spree, he wrote on his social media accounts that this would be his last day.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting inquiries into the incident, and the officers involved were placed on administrative leave. All were wearing body cameras at the time.

The Dane County District Attorney’s office said a full investigation would determine the next steps, while Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul praised the police and said they had executed a comprehensive and complete response.

Governor Tony Evers issued a short statement on Twitter saying he was grateful to the first responders and prayed for the students and staff. School officials said their security measures prevented the shooter from breaching external barriers and entering the building.