SHOREWOOD HILLS (WKOW) -- A criminal complaint has been filed against a Shorewood Hills Elementary School parent who police say walked into a classroom with a sign that said "gun."
Jonathan Fitzgerald faces one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, which carries a possible $1,000 fine and/or 90-day jail sentence.
The complaint was filed after Fitzgerald was arrested on Feb. 22, 2018 when police say he went into his child's classroom and handed the teacher a sign with the word "gun" written on it.
Fitzgerald was able to get into the school by activating the buzzer at the front door of the building, according to a Shorewood Police Department news release. That day, the school was hosting a special event where parents were allowed to come into the school to read to the students. When Fitzgerald buzzed the school, he appeared to be wearing winter clothes and carrying books. He was allowed to come in but he bypassed the school office where visitors are required to check in. A staff member then followed Fitzgerald down the hall from the office where he entered his child's classroom.
According to the criminal complaint, Fitzgerald was wearing ski goggles and told the teacher, "You just...let a gunman into your school." He then gave the her a piece of cardboard with the word “gun” on it. Fitzgerald then made his way into an administrative office and made the same statements and gave the same "gun" cardboard.
Sergeant Corey Denzer of the Village of Shorewood Hills Police Dept. reported that the teacher was visibly shaking and crying after the incident.
Police found Fitzgerald at a University of Wisconsin building. He admitted going into Shorewood Hills Elementary and contacting his daughter's teacher and handing staff members pieces of cardboard paper that said "gun." He also admitted to filming his interactions at the school with his iPad.