Waukesha County Courthouse Facebook A security threat closed the Waukesha County courthouse.
The Waukesha County courthouse in Wisconsin was closed due to two bomb threats, one of which was called into a local television station, the county says. The caller gave a specific time, giving authorities only eight minutes to react; the sheriff made the call to evacuate the courthouse, which will now remain closed throughout the day Monday.
Jeffrey T. Ferrick, 55, of Delafield, was accused of terrorist threats, bomb scares and bail jumping. Prosecutors say officers found 17 firearms at his home, according to WISN-TV. He was due in court on a charge of felony theft.
After releasing a photo of a person of interest, Sheriff Eric Severson said a suspect was in custody. The sheriff added, “Waukesha County Campus buildings were searched by explosive detector dogs & staff & deemed safe.”
The county executive initially called the incident a “security threat,” before revealing that authorities received bomb threats.
On Monday, January 6, 2020, at approximately 8:52 a.m., “information was received from Fox 6 News, indicating they received a report of multiple bombs in the courthouse,” a Waukesha County press release on the incident says.
“The anonymous caller stated that five bombs were placed in the courthouse and the first one was set to go off at 9:00 AM. Fox 6 news contacted the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office to report the threat,” the release continues. “Based on the information and the safety of all in the courthouse, I (the sheriff) made the decision to evacuate the courthouse, administrative building, and juvenile center. A second call was received at approximately 9:10 AM, by Waukesha County Communications from an anonymous male providing similar information to the first call.”
According to Waukesha County, the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad “was requested to assist our office. A sweep of the affected buildings is currently underway utilizing bomb detector dogs. The courthouse and administrative center staff are being released and the buildings will remain closed till the threats is cleared.”
In a press conference, Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson said the buildings “will remain closed for the rest of the day so we can conduct search operations.” He said he hopes the courthouse will be back to normal by Tuesday morning January 7, 2020. He said authorities would be going “methodically” through the buildings. He said authorities are hoping to trace the call and are conducting a criminal investigation.
He said “we’re taking it seriously” when asked if the threat is credible, although obviously no bomb went off at 9 a.m.
Paul Farrow, Waukesha County Executive, wrote on Facebook and Twitter about the threat in the morning hours of January 6, 2020.
“The Waukesha County Courthouse and Administration Building are closed due to a security threat. Please do not attempt to enter these facilities until further notice,” Farrow wrote. Farrow later provided an update, writing, “All morning court dates are cancelled and will be rescheduled. An update on the status of proceedings scheduled for this afternoon will be provided as soon as available.” The same messages were posted on the county’s website.
He also wrote: “Update: The Waukesha Co Courthouse and Admin Buildings are closed due to a bomb threat. The public should not attempt to enter these facilities until further notice.”
Update: The Waukesha Co Courthouse and Admin Buildings are closed due to a bomb threat. The public should not attempt to enter these facilities until further notice.
The Waukesha County Sheriff’s office told Heavy.com early on that the incident was “ongoing still” and the courthouse was “locked down” and that the public information officer was thus too busy to talk.
The Waukesha County Courthouse and Administration Building are closed due to a security threat. Please do not attempt to enter theses facilities until further notice.
Waukesha County Parks wrote on Facebook, “The Waukesha County Courthouse and Administration Building are closed until further notice. Park locations are unaffected and remain open. Anyone planning to visit the Admin Center should stand by until further notice.”
What’s going on at the #Waukesha courthouse? Came to work and the place is closed off with yellow tape.
The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Waukesha County wrote, “Please be advised, the Human Services Center is open at this time and conducting normal business operations. This includes the ADRC.”
The Waukesha County courthouse and administrative building (which houses county offices) is located in the City of Waukesha. Lawyers and other people who use the courthouse and county buildings reacted on social media. Authorities put caution tape around the perimeter of the parking lot of the courthouse to prevent people from entering. People already inside had been evacuated. Some people wrote that they had received alerts on their photos about the security threat.
One lawyer wrote on Facebook, “I was at the courthouse when this happened. Very scary but I am fine and back at the office. Thank you to those who reached out to check on me. I have a new respect for our students and teachers who deal with this sort of thing more than I do. My son stepped out of class to call me as he knew I was in court. What a world we live in.”
Another wrote: “Building was evacuated but we’re all safe.” The Waukesha Freeman newspaper tweeted, “Outside the front of the courthouse – saw two officers enter the building with a dog.”
Outside the front of the courthouse – saw two officers enter the building with a dog
This post is being updated as more information is learned about the threat.
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