CITY OF WAUKESHA — The School District of Waukesha enacted 'lockout' protocol Wednesday morning after Waukesha police say a man struggling with mental illness had a firearm in his possession. The lockout has since concluded.
Wauksesha police said in a news release Wednesday afternoon that around 9 a.m., dispatchers received a call from a person, who was concerned for a friend suffering from a mental health episode.
WPD says the caller urged officers to check on the well-being of the man, who is described as being in his 30s.
Police soon learned that the man in question was in possession of a firearm in the area of Madison Street, just west to the city limits, and south to Sunset Drive. The Waukesha School District is just east of that area.
To stay on the safe side, police contacted the Waukesha School District and informed them of the situation. The school district decided to enact their 'lockout' protocol, which requires students to stay in school and prevents activities like recess and off-campus lunches. The lockout also installs stiffer controls in accessing school buildings.
Around 1:45 p.m., with help from family and friends, officers found the man in the City of Waukesha and were able to "safely" take him into custody, according to the release. The department says they "allocated a significant amount of resources" to find the man.
"Our primary focus is getting him the help he needs," Captain Dan Baumann of the Waukesha Police Department wrote.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Department has a felony warrant for the man's arrest. His identity was not released.
