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 suspect’s 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 teen’s 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 student’s identity remains undisclosed, authorities confirmed the teen’s 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.