By Gazette staff

STEVENS POINT – It took the Stevens Point Police Department and assisting agencies less a half hour to secure Stevens Point Area High School after receiving a 911 call of an active shooter within the high school facility.

On Oct. 20, shortly after noon, the Portage County Dispatch Center received information that there was an active shooter inside SPASH, with several people shot.

“The caller was a male with a heavy accent and provided no further information. No other calls were received on this incident,” stated release from Stevens Point Lt. Joe Johnson.

“Officers responded to SPASH and were quickly able to determine the information provided was false and there was no threat at SPASH.

“Officers had been previously notified of similar incidents around the state prior to this call at SPASH.”

Janesville police were also alerted that same day at 11:10 a.m. to the report of an active shooter at Craig High School, with people injured.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a statement that at least 10 districts across Wisconsin and several other states had received similar reports.

 “The FBI is aware of the numerous swatting incidents wherein a report of an active shooter at a school is made. The FBI takes swatting very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk. While we have no information to indicate a specific and credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention. We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately,” a Feb. 20 FBI release stated.