Multiple juveniles have been taken into custody after a threat was phoned this (Wed) morning to the Storm Lake Elementary School, which led all local schools to be placed on lockdown.
According to Storm Lake Police, The Buena Vista County Communications Center received two 911 calls shortly before 8am requesting authorities at the elementary school for a reported shooting. School staff and officers quickly escorted students into the Elementary Building and into their classrooms. After the elementary school was put on lockdown, Storm Lake Police officers and Buena Vista County Sheriff’s deputies were positioned inside and outside the building to safeguard everyone on the premises. All other schools in Storm Lake were immediately notified, and they were also put on lockdown as a precautionary measure.
Following an on-scene investigation, police determined there was no credible threat and found that the false shooting call came from an 11-year-old at Storm Lake Middle School, The student was taken into custody at the Storm Lake Police Department for further investigation.
Officers issued juvenile referrals of Harassment 3rd Degree (a simple misdemeanor), False Reports to Public Entity (a serious misdemeanor), and Willful Disturbance (a serious misdemeanor) to the 11-year-old.
Police additionally charged two other 11-year-old males from Storm Lake with Aiding and Abetting Harassment 3rd Degree, a simple misdemeanor; Aiding and Abetting False Reports to Public Entity, a serious misdemeanor; and Aiding and Abetting Willful Disturbance, a serious misdemeanor.
All three juvenile males were transported to the Cherokee Youth Emergency Services Center for placement. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Storm Lake School District strongly encourages students and families to speak up if they see or hear anything representing a potential school safety issue.
