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Police say training helped in Antigo shooting

Posted at 5:25 PM, Apr 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-26 10:17:01-04

ANTIGO, Wis.-  In a packed room at the Antigo City Hall Monday afternoon, law enforcement and school leaders discuss a deadly shooting at the high school's prom over the weekend.

School leaders making sure staff and students have what they need to cope with the ordeal.

"We have a system set up to determine how to best support the students and also the staff that were there Saturday night," said Antigo High School principal, Tom Zamzow.

School staff are thanking the Antigo community for the outpouring of support after former student, 18-year-old Jakob Wagner opened fire at the school's prom Saturday night.

 

"We stopped a threat and we think it saved many lives," said Antigo Police Chief, Eric Roller.

 

Officers say they're not sure why Wagner was there and couldn't comment on how much damage he was prepared to do because it is an open investigation.  However, officers say Wagner rode to the prom on his bicycle with a rifle and shot those students at a close range.

 

"It was pretty close proximity and the officers were fairly close within the parking lot and were able to respond within split seconds," said Chief Roller.

 

The Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation is looking into the case because it is an officer involved shooting, but police say students were a big help when a fellow classmate got hit by a bullet.

 

"One tied a necktie around the leg as a tourniquet and called 911 and got help from inside," said Chief Roller.

 

The shooting took place just outside where the dance was being held.  Police say it's fortunate it wasn't worse.

 

"Chaperones are on staff monitoring the entrance so the doors are not locked," said Zamzow.

 

School leaders say counselors will be no staff for the rest of the week and maybe longer if needed.

 

The Antigo police officer who shot and killed Wagner has been put on leave pending the investigation.