Marshfield Police Issues Statement on High School Lockdown

MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the School Resource Officer assigned to the Marshfield High School received a phone call from an individual reporting concerns over the mental state of a current student of the high school.

Allegations were made that the student made comments about committing an act of violence at the school. Approximately 20 minutes later, a call was made to the Wood County Dispatch Center that this same student had just committed a stabbing at a residence in rural Marshfield.

(Editor’s Note: According to dispatch reports, this incident was called in at 2:01pm from River Edge Drive in the Town of Lincoln. The caller reported to having “assaulted” his mother and “stabbed her after punching her.” MPD states this report was “not credible.”*)

Upon deputies of the Wood County Sheriffs Department and officers of the Marshfield Police Department responding to the residence, efforts were made to secure the school, as the whereabouts of the student were unknown.

Administrative staff at the Marshfield High School were made aware, and a decision was made to move the school into a soft lockdown. Officers were able to locate the student off school grounds, and it quickly became evident that the call received was not credible.

The Marshfield Police Department along with the Wood County Sheriffs Department are continuing to investigate this matter, as we do view this crime as a public safety issue.

Often referred to as “swatting,” these calls create unnecessary panic and wastes already limited public resources. Working closely with industry partners, we continue to refine our technological capabilities and investigative techniques to identify the thoughtless individuals that commit this crime. No further information will be released at this time.

* UPDATE: We asked for clarification from the department: “The reported assault and stabbing was unfounded and made up by the caller.  No such incident occurred.”

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