Shortly after 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Manitowoc Police Department received several calls reporting a male subject walking past Jefferson Elementary School, 1415 Division St., Manitowoc, with a rifle.
One of the witnesses followed the subject and pointed him out to officers. When officers arrived in the area, they met with the subject, who was not carrying a gun. The subject, a 27-year-old Manitowoc man, admitted that he was walking in the area, but the gun he was carrying was a BB gun. He pointed out where he left the gun, and officers located a plastic BB gun that was designed to look like an assault rifle.
While speaking with the man, it was apparent that he was suffering from mental health issues, but he had no intention of endangering anyone at the school. The man was walking to a relative’s house and happened to walk past the elementary school on the way.
The man has been referred to the Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office on charges of a Facsimile Firearm Violation and Carrying a Dangerous Weapon while on a School Premises. He was transported and held at a mental health facility for further medical treatment.
The Manitowoc Public School District sent home letters explaining the preventative measures that took place during the school day.
The investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Police Department at 686-6551.
