UPDATED Thursday, May 8 --- 3:30pm

The threat at Southwest Tech is being called a hoax.

Classes were cancelled and the college was shut down yesterday morning after a student came to school and told administrators she had received a threatening voicemail on her cell phone.

The criminal complaint states former student Jeremy L. Heins admitted to leaving the message the night before as a joke after having a few cocktails, which warned somebody would be taking a gun to school.

Today administrators met to review their actions and to talk with students about the incident.

Karen R. Knox, President -- Southwest Wisconsin Technical College: "We thought we had a good outcome. All of our students and staff are safe, and that's really our primary concern when this was happening yesterday."

Administrators used email and the radio to let students know the campus was closed. Initially they told students it was due to a "maintenance" problem. However, students we talked to today say they didn't mind being deceived about what was going on because it kept them out of harms way.

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UPDATE Posted Wednesday, May 7 --- 3:45pm

Press Release from the City of Fennimore Police Department:

On Wednesday, May 7 at about 7:00am, the Fennimore Police Department was contacted by officials at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. We learned that a student had received a threatening voice mail message that involved a person possibly bringing a firearm to campus.

While the matter remains under investigation, it has been determined that no further threat to SWTC students or staff exists in relation to this incident.

The Fennimore Police Department takes threats of this nature very seriously and is pursuing the matter as a high priority.

As the matter remains under investigation, no further information is available at this time.

Richard D. Kreul
Chief of Police

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Posted Wednesday, May 7 --- 11:50am

Here is the statement from Karen R. Knox, President -- Southwest Wisconsin Technical College:

Today, May 7, Southwest Tech College experienced a threat that an individual was bringing a gun to campus. The information was provided to us by a student who received the call on a cell phone. We immediately contacted the Fennimore Police and shared all information.

In the interest of the safety of staff and students, we simultaneously made the decision to close campus including night classes. At the request of law enforcement the college reported a maintenance problem.

The precise nature of the incident was not revealed to prevent undue panic and to facilitate law enforcement in apprehending a suspect. In addition, an all-staff email and an all-student email were issued and an intercom announcement was made.

At the request of local law enforcement, the precise nature of the incident was not revealed. Instead school officials stated there was a water main break near one of the campus buildings, and that was why school was closed. Local police felt it was necessary, to prevent undue panic, and to facilitate them in apprehending a suspect.

The Fennimore Police Department quickly followed up on the incident and by 8:40 a.m. had identified a possible suspect. At this time I have no further information.

According to the College Emergency Response Plan, the Leadership Team will meet tomorrow, Thursday, May 8, at 10 a.m. to review the incident.

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From the school's website:
Located in beautifully rural southwest Wisconsin, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, or Southwest Tech, is a comprehensive technical school of higher learning that offers excellent educational opportunities, a broad array of support services, and a student-friendly atmosphere.