A night of high school memories turned into horror for students attending the Antigo High School senior prom in Antigo, Wisconsin. Police have stated that a former student opened fire on revelers as they were exiting the school at 11:00 p.m. this past Saturday. The shooter was identified as Jackob E. Wagner, 18, who attended the school. Wagner injured a male and female student who were both shot in the legs and treated at a local hospital. Police who were providing security for the prom returned fire, hitting Wagner before he could enter the building and cause more carnage. Wagner was transported to a hospital and died from his injuries on Sunday morning.
According to fellow students and friends, the shooter had broken up with his girlfriend last month and his actions shocked those who knew him. A school administrator, identified as Donald Childs, stated that Wagner did not graduate with his class last year and was working on completing his requirements for his high school diploma. Law enforcement recovered a high-powered rifle and a large clip of ammunition at the scene and feel that his intentions were to randomly shot prom attendees if he was able to enter the building. The immediate area was locked down as police investigated the scene and later determined that Wagner was a lone shooter. The school district issued a statement that said in part “quick actions’ taken by police and district staff to secure the building “prevented what might have otherwise been a disaster of unimaginable proportions, and we are extremely grateful for their well-rehearsed response.”
Classes resumed at the school today, Monday April 25, 2016, with grief counselors on hand to assist any students. Wagner was recalled as an avid hunting enthusiast who was raised by his mother and grandparents in the small community with a population of around 8K.
