FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [email protected]

School Update

WOOSTER, OHIO – (March 30, 2016) –

The following press release was issued by the Wooster Police Department regarding today’s school lockdown:

At approximately 3:10pm an off-duty Wooster Police Officer observed a suspicious person near the area of Oakhill and Oldman Road. This individual walked into a wooded ravine on the southeast corner of Oakhill and Oldman and began to shoot a handgun at the ground. The off-duty officer contacted dispatch immediately to request assistance and made contact with the suspect. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and claimed he was simply “target shooting”.

Because the wooded area where this took place is located outside the city limits of the City of Wooster, the suspect was turned over to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.

Wooster City Schools were contacted immediately about this incident and took appropriate action to ensure the safety of students and staff.

All schools were placed on lockdown and the school districts Threat Assessment Management (TAM) team was mobilized. The TAM team worked collaboratively with the Wooster Police Department to identify, assess and manage the situation. The most crucial assessment for the police department was ensuring that the person they had in custody was the only person actively involved.

“This was as serious of a live and developing situation that we have experienced in a while,” said Dr. Michael Tefs, Superintendent. “We are so very pleased with the efficiency of the Wooster Police Department and their concern and care for our students and employees. Our safety protocols worked well as we felt our students were safe and secure at all times.”

For more information regarding the Wooster City School District, please visit www.woostercityschools.org.

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ABOUT THE WOOSTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Entering its 166th year, The Wooster City School District inspires world-class academic achievement through 21st century college and career preparedness, creating global awareness, fostering critical thinking, and advancing financial and technological literacy. For the 2014-2015 school year, the district will educate 3,900 students with 500 employees at their seven school sites. For more information, please visit www.woostercityschools.org.