Waukesha Student Shot By Police Officer In Stable Condition At Children’s Wisconsin

Student Pointed Pellet Gun At Classmate's Head, Officers Before Being Shot

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Police tape is posted outside Waukesha South High School
Police tape is posted outside Waukesha South High School following a shooting incident on Dec. 1, 2019. Corrinne Hess/WPR

The Waukesha South high school student shot Monday by a Waukehsa police officer is in stable condition at Children’s Wisconsin.

Waukesha Police held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to release more details on Monday’s lockdown at Waukesha South following the officer-involved shooting.

The 17-year-old male student was shot by Waukesha Police Sgt. Brady Esser, an 11-year veteran of the department. Police say the student pointed a pellet gun at another student’s head.

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When Waukesha Police arrived, the student ignored officers’ commands to remove his hands from his pocket. The student removed the gun from his hoodie and pointed it at the officers, according to police.

The student was shot three times, once in the right thigh and twice in the right arm.

Officers immediately applied a tourniquet to the student’s thigh and arm, said Waukesha Police Capt. Dan Baumann.

The student was taken to Children’s Wisconsin in Wauwatosa where he underwent surgery. He is currently in intensive care, Baumann said.

Baumann said a second pellet gun was found in the student’s backpack. Police searched his home and found more pellet guns and illegal drugs, although police did not specify what types of drugs.

Baumann said police asked the student his motive, and he said he was “very angry” with the student who he pointed the gun at.

There have been multiple reports that a Waukesha South teacher was involved in the incident. Baumann would not specifically comment, but did say, “We are grateful to the Waukesha South community. It is exactly why we train. To that teacher. Thank you.”

Several hours after the Waukesha South shooting, Waukesha North High School was placed on lockdown. A 15-year-old male student was arrested for possession of a firearm.

Bauman said the two incidents were not related.