Crime
Kenosha teacher Keith Lowry hailed as Hero for possibly stopping Roosevelt Elementary school shooting
Officials said the teen is a Mahone Middle School student who previously attended Roosevelt.
In a tense encounter that could have ended in tragedy, Kenosha teacher Keith Lowry displayed quick thinking and courage as he confronted a 13-year-old student armed with a rifle who had entered Roosevelt Elementary School on Thursday morning.
Lowry’s actions were instrumental in preventing what could have been a devastating situation, underscoring the role teachers play as protectors, not only of education but of safety and lives as well.
His bravery serves as a profound reminder that such incidents can happen anywhere and that his rapid response is a model of vigilance and heroism for all parents and educators.
The incident unfolded when numerous community tips led to the identification and eventual arrest of the 13-year-old Kenosha Unified School District student, who reportedly brought both a backpack and a black duffel bag onto the elementary school grounds.
According to Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton, officers acted on these tips to locate the suspect, ultimately convincing him to surrender peacefully.
Authorities identified the suspect as a former Roosevelt Elementary student now attending Mahone Middle School.
“We received several tips about the person in the photo, which steered our investigation to the suspectโs location.
With that, our officers were able to successfully talk the suspect down,” Patton said. Kenosha police revealed that the suspect was seen in video footage holding what appeared to be a firearm, and records showed he had conducted multiple internet searches on school shootings prior to the incident.
Police were called to Roosevelt Elementary around 9 a.m. after reports of a suspicious individual on campus.
Surveillance showed the suspect testing several doors and ultimately accessing a secured entryway, where he was confronted by vigilant school staff, including Lowry, who quickly acted upon noticing the teenโs large black bag.
When approached, the suspect fled the scene, prompting a lockdown across district schools to ensure student and staff safety.
Reflecting on the staff’s quick response, Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Weiss stated, “Our team acted promptly and engaged law enforcement so they could do their part in detaining the suspect. Their actions were nothing short of heroic, preventing an unimaginable outcome.”
Law enforcement successfully located and detained the suspect near the school around 2 p.m., a few blocks away on the 6700 block of 30th Avenue.
The investigation revealed that the teen had shared videos and concerning comments with classmates for weeks leading up to the event.
Patton emphasized the need for increased vigilance in reporting such behaviors, noting, “We nearly faced a tragedy today. We encourage everyone: if you see something, say something. Talk to your children. This video should have been reported sooner.”
The police continue to seek further information on the incident and urge parents to encourage open communication with their children about reporting troubling behavior. Parents and students can contact law enforcement directly or anonymously through Kenosha Crime Stoppers.
While the studentโs identity remains undisclosed, authorities confirmed the teenโs mother is cooperating with the investigation.
The district had already scheduled Friday, Nov. 8, as a non-student day for staff development, providing an opportunity to assess and reinforce campus security measures in the aftermath of this incident.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. โ Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.