Just after 11 a.m. Tuesday, a note was found in a boys bathroom at Waterloo Middle School referencing a specific threat against the school at noon that same day. The note was given to the Resource Officer and the entire building, which houses K through 12 students, was placed on immediate lockdown.

Portage County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the scene, searched the entire school, and students believed to be responsible were questioned. According to a report from the Sheriff's Office (see below), one student admitted to writing the note and charges are pending.

After a couple of hours, the lockdown was lifted around 1:30 p.m., and school resumed as normal.

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(Portage Co. Sheriff's Office) Today (Tuesday), at approximately 11:06 a.m., the Portage County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Waterloo Middle School’s SRO officer. The SRO reported that a student had found a note in the boys’ bathroom that was a warning to everyone of a threat that would occur at noon. The school was placed on soft lockdown as a precautionary measure as stipulated in their policy, as the sheriff’s office responded. The school was secured and searched by sheriff’s deputies. While deputies were searching the school, detectives began to question individuals who may have been responsible. A juvenile student was questioned and admitted to writing and leaving the note. The school resumed normal business as the incident was resolved.

Portage County Sheriff’s Office will be consulting with the Portage County Prosecutor’s Office to discuss pending charges.