On Monday, October 23, 2023, in Germantown, Wisconsin, a man was shot and killed on the roof of Kennedy Middle School after he fired at responding police officers.
The Germantown Police Department had initially responded to calls of a man “acting erratically” in the school’s parking lot around 6:30 pm. This person, with no apparent connection to the community or school, was driving a vehicle with out-of-state license plates.
According to reports, the man initially drove to a car repair shop in Germantown, where he displayed erratic behavior. He later approached Kennedy Middle School, where an estimated 70 students and 20 adults were present for after-school activities. He attempted to enter the school upon his arrival, but the doors were locked. He later climbed onto the roof of the school. From there, he began shooting at the police officers who had arrived on the scene in response to the disturbance.
Three officers engaged with the man, returning fire. The man was hit and, despite receiving first aid, was pronounced dead at the scene. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported during this ordeal. The students inside the school at that time were placed on lockdown for their safety.
A seventh grader from the school, Samantha Scherdin, who had been attending a dance practice, recounted the tense moments during the lockdown. “A lot was happening,” she said. “Me and my friends were just all together and hugging and crying. But we were told we had to be quiet so nothing would come into the building. We heard gunshots and yelling.”
As the situation unfolded, district authorities quickly organized buses to transport the students from Kennedy Middle School to MacArthur Elementary School, located down the road. Parents were instructed to bring identification for pickup and provided additional information upon arrival. By the morning of October 24, district officials confirmed that all students, families, and staff had been safely accounted for and reunited.
The Germantown School District utilized social media to communicate with the community throughout the incident. In a statement, they announced that the shooting was believed to be an isolated incident and that there was no longer any danger to the public. They further clarified that all interactions with the shooter occurred outside the school building.
In the wake of the incident, Kennedy Middle School remained closed on Tuesday. The Department of Justice took over the investigation. The three police officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure.
