12/12/19

Incident: Threats to Middleton High School
Date: December 10, 2019
Location: Middleton High School – 2100 Bristol Street
Incident#: MI19015705

On Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at approximately 3:00PM the Middleton Police Department was notified of threats of violence that were made via Instagram against a planned student protest scheduled to take place the following day at Firemen’s Park.  This park is located at 7420 North Avenue which is directly adjacent to both High School campuses. 

Once notified of this threat, the administrative staff at Middleton High School immediately contacted the School Resource Officer and an investigation was initiated.  Based on the threat, school was cancelled at Middleton High School and Clark Street Community School on Wednesday, December 11, 2019.

As a result of this investigation, the Middleton Police Department has identified three Middleton students who were involved in the threats.  A tentative charge of Unlawful Use of Computerized Communications Systems will be referred to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office for Jakob D. Ripp, 17, of Middleton.  Charges against two 16-year old males will also be referred as a party to the crime.

The Middleton Police Department would like to thank the staff of the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School district for their assistance throughout this investigation.  This collaborative relationship has proven to be incredibly valuable.

Anyone with additional information related to this incident is encouraged to call or text the Middleton Police Department at (608)824-7300.

Captain Jeremy Geiszler
Middleton Police Department
608-824-7300
www.middletonpd.com

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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12/10/19