Updated: Details Released On Bomb Threat At Shell Lake School District

SHELL LAKE, WI — New details have emerged regarding the bomb threat that prompted a significant law enforcement response at the Shell Lake School District on Monday, December 9, 2024. According to a press release from the Shell Lake Police Department, the school received an automated, recorded phone call from an anonymous source claiming there were explosive devices in the school and that armed individuals would arrive within 10 minutes.

The Shell Lake School District immediately contacted law enforcement, leading to a large and rapid response from multiple agencies. Upon arrival, the school was placed on lockdown, and the situation was handled with the utmost concern for the safety of students, staff, and the community.

Authorities conducted a thorough search of the building and grounds, finding no threats. Once the search was completed, the lockdown was lifted, and normal activities resumed.

It was determined during the incident that similar hoax calls had been made to several other school districts across the state, including Wausau and Chippewa Falls. These incidents are referred to as “swatting” — a dangerous and disruptive practice involving false threats designed to elicit an emergency response.

The Shell Lake Police Department emphasized that despite the increasing prevalence of swatting incidents, local law enforcement and EMS personnel treated the situation with the highest level of seriousness. Interim Police Chief Michael Jaszczak extended gratitude to the Washburn County Sheriff's Department, Spooner Police Department, Minong Police Department, Shell Lake Fire Department, Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin State Patrol, Barron County Sheriff's Department, Cumberland Police Department, North Memorial Ambulance, Cumberland EMS, and the Shell Lake School District for their professionalism and rapid response.

“All of the students and staff at the school were safe and cooperative,” stated Chief Jaszczak in the press release.

Press Release

On December 9, 2024, The Shell Lake School District received an automated, recorded phone call from an unknown anonymous source claiming that there was an explosive device(s) in the Shell Lake School and that there would be armed people arriving at the school in approximately 10 minutes from the time of the call. The Shell Lake School District immediately notified Law Enforcement.

There was a large immediate Law Enforcement response to the Shell Lake School. Upon arrival to the school the Shell Lake School was on a lock down status. The situation was taken with the utmost concern for the safety of the students, staff, and community. The school was searched for any potential threats. There were none found. While the incident was ongoing it was also determined that there were several other jurisdictions that had the same or similar recorded phone call. Once the school building and grounds were searched, the school lock down was lifted and students, staff, and the community resumed normal activities.

Law Enforcement around the country has been informed of the term "swatting" which refers to these types of incidents. Although the swatting incidents have become more prevalent, the Shell Lake Police Department and Washburn County Sheriff's Department and other area Law Enforcement and EMS personnel responded and took the matter very seriously. All of the students and staff at the school were safe and cooperative.

We would like to thank the Washburn County Sheriff's Department, Spooner Police Department, Minong Police Department, Shell Lake Fire Department, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin State Patrol, Barron County Sheriff's Department, Cumberland Police Department, North Memorial Ambulance, Cumberland EMS, and the Shell Lake School District for their rapid response and professionalism during this incident.