Hartford Central Middle School kids take away backpack after student says he has a gun

HARTFORD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Charges are being referred against a student at Hartford's Central Middle School after he allegedly made threats to harm his classmates.

According to the Hartford Police Department, staff members at the school spoke with a student who was in the office after causing a disturbance by taking another student’s backpack. The student reported that the student with the backpack had made threats to attack the school with a firearm.

The student reported that at approximately 7:45 a.m. during their breakfast, the suspect claimed to have a firearm in their backpack. That student stated that with the help of a second student, they took the backpack from the suspect. When they looked inside, they found that there was no firearm.

It was also determined this was not the first time that the suspect had engaged in these types of activities. The student reported that they had also been threatened by the suspect on February 22nd. In that incident, the suspect allegedly approached the student in a bathroom and told the student that they were going to shoot up the school and “take an M-16 and put it between my eyes and kill me.” This threat was previously not reported to staff or law enforcement.

The investigation continues at this time, but no further evidence has been found that would establish any additional intent to act upon these comments.

Two counts of Disorderly Conduct are being referred against the student to Washington County Juvenile Intake.

This investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.