Wisconsin cops shoot dead active gunman on middle school roof

Wisconsin police shot dead a gunman who fired at officers from the roof of a middle school, where up to 70 students were stuck inside.

Germantown police said they responded to a call about a person “acting erratically” in the parking lot of Kennedy Middle School shortly after 6:30 p.m. Monday.

When two officers tried to pursue him, the gunman managed to climb onto the roof — using the high vantage point to shoot at the officers below, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Cops then returned fire, striking the gunman. No other injuries were reported.

First responders rendered aid, but the shooter died at the scene, according to the Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation.

The gunman has not yet been identified, and a motive is unclear.

As all of that occurred outside of the building, between 50 to 70 middle school students remained inside, where they had been attending after-school practices for activities like cheerleading, basketball and color guard.

The middle school was promptly placed on lockdown due to a “school safety threat,” Germantown School District officials informed the community on Facebook later that night.

Among those inside the school was Samantha Scherdin, a seventh grader who had been attending dance practice when the school went into lockdown.

“A lot was happening,” she told WISN. “Me and my friends were just all together and hugging and crying.”

“But we were told we had to be quiet so nothing would come into the building, but we were told no one was inside the building — just stuff going around and we heard gunshots and yelling.”

Eventually, the district sent buses to pick up the students and transport them to an elementary school down the road.

Parents were instructed to bring their ID for pickup and were told to expect further information when they arrived.

By Tuesday morning, district officials said, “All students, families and staff that were in the building are safe, accounted for and have been reunited with their families.”

Kennedy Middle School remained closed on Tuesday, as the Department of Justice continued its investigation. Once the probe is complete, the DOJ will send a report about the incident to the Washington County District Attorney.

Officials said Monday night that the shooting “is believed to be an isolated incident,” and there was no danger to the public.

“All interactions with the subject occurred outside of the building,” the DOJ said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the three cops involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave, per agency policy.

With Post wires.