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Willmar Schools and police try to quell online rumors after football game incident – West Central Tribune

WILLMAR – The Willmar School District and the Willmar Police Department are trying to quell online rumors after a youth wearing a ski mask was arrested with a box cutter during Willmar High School's homecoming football game Friday night.

No firearm was reported or found at the scene, no Taser stun guns were used by officers and no injuries were reported, according to a news release.

According to the joint press release posted late Monday on the police Facebook page and also emailed to the media by Willmar Superintendent Bill Adams, police were called Friday night during the football game to help control the to help crowd. Upon arrival, officers noticed a male youth wearing a ski mask.

When officers approached the man, he allegedly tried to grab an object from his waistband and fled on foot, the report said.

The officers chased the man and arrested him. According to police, a box cutter was found on the man who resisted arrest.

According to the joint press release, a second juvenile was also involved.

The situation required the presence of multiple officers because a large, unruly crowd surrounded the officers and security personnel, the release said.

A 16-year-old Willmar male faces charges of possession of a dangerous weapon on school grounds, fleeing police on foot, disorderly conduct, concealing identity and obstruction.

A 17-year-old male, also from Willmar, was cited for disorderly conduct.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing and the Willmar Police Department is actively pursuing all leads. The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office also assisted police at the scene Friday.

The joint press release continued: “The safety and well-being of our students, staff and community remains Willmar Public Schools' top priority.” We are committed to continually reviewing and improving our processes and procedures to ensure safe and to ensure pleasant experiences at all future events. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Anyone with information about Friday night's events is asked to contact Willmar police at 320-235-3100 or Superintendent Adams at 320-231-8314.

By the West Central Tribune staff

Our newsroom occasionally reports under the headline “West Central Tribune Staff Report.” Often the title “West Central Tribune Staff Report” is used when rewriting basic short stories that come from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. Sometimes this byline is used when a news story includes many authors or when the story is created by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, this will be noted in the story.

The West Central Tribune newsroom can be reached by email:
[email protected] or phone 320-235-1150.

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