Kenosha schools in a 'secure hold' following suspicious man attempting to enter school

Schools in Kenosha are currently not allowing anyone to enter or leave, following a man with suspicious bags attempting to enter a district school and fleeing after staff questioned him.

The Kenosha Unified School District placed all of its schools in a secure hold this morning — which means the schools are operating as usual, but no one can enter or leave the building — following the incident, said Tanya Ruder, chief communications officer for the district. Kenosha police continue to seek the suspect, who attempted to enter Roosevelt Elementary School.

Ruder said the man only reached the school's "secure entryway," and did not enter the school.

"We've got things in place right now that the children and KUSD employees are safe. We don't even know what was in the bag, so it's all speculation at this point," said Lt. Joshua Hecker, the Kenosha Police Department public information officer.

Ruder said they placed all schools in a secure hold based on guidance from the Kenosha Police Department.

"At this time, we just know that an individual tried to get into the building, and they came into our secured entryway with suspicious bags, when they were approached by staff they fled into the neighborhood," Ruder said.

The district-wide hold was for safety reasons, with the man still being sought by police, Hecker said. He said the department is collaborating with the district, the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department and the Pleasant Prairie Police Department in the investigation.

In a statement, the Kenosha school district said the sheriff's department and Pleasant Prairie police were at all county schools and assisting in patrols seeking the man.

Frank Elementary School posted on social media about the incident shortly after noon and said it was cancelling afternoon 4K classes and holding any remaining 4k students. The post said the man attempted to enter Roosevelt Elementary School,

"We understand this may raise concerns, but we assure you that this is being done for the safety of students, staff, and families. KUSD is working closely with Kenosha Police Department to locate the suspect as quickly as possible," the school said in its post.

Ruder said the district would provide support for students who are upset following the incident, if needed. She did not have a timeline for the secure hold on the district's schools ending.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Kenosha Police Department at 262-656-1234.

David Clarey can be reached at .

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.