Four Wisconsin School Districts Face Same-Day Threats as FBI To Assist Florence Swatting Probe

Four Wisconsin school districts were hit by same-day threats that triggered evacuations, disrupted lessons and forced homecoming events to be cancelled or postponed, with the FBI now assisting a swatting investigation in Florence County.

In Florence, bomb and active-shooter reports led to the evacuation of students and staff from the middle and high school building. The Florence County Sheriff's Office later identified the incident as swatting and said the FBI would support its inquiry.

Durand police separately confirmed a swatting incident, while Menominee Indian High School was evacuated following a bomb threat. Pepin Area School District also reported a similar disruption, although authorities have not established whether the cases were connected.

The reports prompted emergency responses across Wisconsin, with authorities later confirming that school buildings in Florence, Menominee and Durand were safe.

Swatting involves making false emergency reports to trigger a substantial police response. Florence investigators said they discovered that other school districts had received similar calls, raising questions about whether the incidents were linked.

Florence Swatting Probe Draws FBI Assistance

The Florence County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to the Florence County School District at approximately 10.25am on Friday. District officials reported evacuating the combined middle and high school building at 10.36am after receiving a bomb threat.

Authorities also reported an active-shooter threat, prompting a wider emergency response. Deputies were joined by officers from neighbouring Michigan agencies, who helped secure and search the premises.

A bomb detection dog from Brown County assisted officers in clearing the building. The sheriff's office subsequently confirmed that all students and staff had been accounted for and were safe.

Investigators began examining the origin of the threatening call and discovered that other Wisconsin schools had received similar reports. After contacting other jurisdictions, Florence authorities classified the incident as swatting.

The sheriff's office said the investigation would continue with FBI assistance. Its announcement did not identify a suspect or establish whether the other reported incidents were coordinated.

Florence County Sheriff Teresa Chrisman credited school employees and responding agencies with following established safety procedures. Officials said cooperation between school administrators, law enforcement and emergency personnel helped ensure the safe evacuation.

The incident also forced the district to postpone its Friday evening homecoming parade.

In a district announcement, Superintendent Christy Larson acknowledged the disruption. 'We understand that this has been a long process for our students and staff, but student and staff safety is our number one priority,' Larson said.

The district said its postponed parade and other missed homecoming activities would be rescheduled. Saturday's homecoming dance remained on the schedule.

Durand Swatting Call and Menominee Bomb Threat

In Durand, police responded to a reported threat involving the Durand-Arkansaw School District on Friday. Students and staff were evacuated while officers searched school buildings and the Bauer Built Sports Complex.

The Durand Police Department subsequently determined that the threat was not credible and classified the incident as swatting. Officers confirmed there was no known danger to students, staff or the surrounding community.

The department said its investigation remained ongoing and urged residents to rely on official information rather than circulating unverified reports.

Elsewhere, Menominee Indian High School in Keshena was evacuated after officials received a bomb threat. Students and staff were taken to Menominee Casino Resort while police investigated.

Other schools within the Menominee Indian School District were also evacuated as a precaution, and students were released early.

Superintendent Shannon Chapman confirmed that law enforcement had completed its searches and determined the buildings were safe. She praised students, school employees and emergency responders for their cooperation during the evacuation.

The Menominee Tribal Police Department also reported working with the FBI to identify the source of the threatening call, according to WFRV. Officers said the threat was unfounded after searches inside and outside the school.

Meanwhile, the Pepin Area School District reported a similar incident that disrupted its homecoming celebrations. Officials cancelled Friday evening's homecoming dance, although the football game against Augusta was expected to proceed as scheduled.

The available reports do not establish that the Pepin incident was independently classified as swatting or linked to the threats investigated elsewhere.

Same-Day Threats Raise Questions Over Possible Link

The same-day reports prompted precautionary evacuations and emergency searches across several Wisconsin school communities. In Florence and Durand, police subsequently determined that the reported threats were swatting incidents.

Florence authorities said similar calls to other districts emerged during their initial investigation. However, the available official statements do not establish whether the incidents originated from the same person or group.

The Florence investigation is expected to continue with FBI assistance, while Durand police are pursuing a separate inquiry. Menominee Tribal Police have also reported federal cooperation concerning their threatening call.

No suspect has been publicly identified in the statements reviewed. For affected school communities, the disruption extended beyond the emergency responses.

Florence's homecoming parade remains subject to rescheduling, while Pepin cancelled its Friday evening dance. Florence officials said further details about postponed activities would be released as arrangements were finalised.