(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha police have confirmed to Kenosha County Eye that the juvenile suspect in the alleged school shooting plan tied to Tuesday, Dec. 16, is currently in police custody, but authorities say a decision on whether he will remain detained or be released has not yet been made.
Police have not publicly named the suspect because of juvenile confidentiality laws, but Kenosha County Eye has confirmed the individual is Donavon Castillo, 15, who lives in the 6700 block of 30th Avenue.
Kenosha Police Department spokesman Capt. Joshua Hecker told Kenosha County Eye that juvenile intake will make a determination later today on whether Castillo is released or taken into continued custody. Hecker said that decision will not be public record under Wisconsin juvenile court procedures. As a result, authorities have not confirmed whether Castillo will remain in custody overnight or into Tuesday, the date referenced in the alleged threat.
Police said Castillo is the same juvenile previously detained in 2024 following the Roosevelt Elementary School incident involving a duffle bag believed to contain firearms. In the current case, police allege Castillo posted a TikTok video stating, “December 16th, its going down,” researched whether KTEC would be open on that date, and later attempted to disarm a police officer while in custody. Kenosha police have said they are seeking charges of terroristic threats, attempt to disarm a peace officer, and resisting arrest.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
This confirmation directly contradicts statements made earlier Monday by Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Weiss, who told families that the suspect “remains detained,” presenting the matter as settled. Police have now made clear that while Castillo is in custody at this moment, no final decision has been made on whether he will remain detained, and that determination rests with juvenile intake and the juvenile court process.
Sources within law enforcement told Kenosha County Eye it is likely Castillo will be remanded into custody. However, legal insiders familiar with Kenosha County juvenile proceedings say there is a definite possibility that Judge Chad Kerkman (D) could order Castillo released either later tonight or Tuesday morning. Any such decision would not be publicly disclosed unless authorities choose to release additional information. Mary Lynn Beier (D), the director of Juvenile Intake is a liberal activist and likes to set violent criminals free pending trial. Her and Chad Kerkman are usually on the same page with that. County Executive Samantha Kerkman agrees with Beier’s light-on-crime philosophy.
The update follows hours of confusion after competing public messages from law enforcement and the school district. Earlier Monday, KPD released a statement confirming detention and outlining evidence of planning, while emphasizing that detention status was being monitored. Minutes later, KUSD distributed a message asserting the suspect “remains detained,” without citing a source or explaining how the district could know the outcome of a juvenile intake decision that police now say has not yet occurred.
As of now, police have confirmed only one fact: Donavon Castillo is in custody at this moment. Whether that remains the case after juvenile intake makes its decision later today — and into Tuesday morning — remains unknown.
Kenosha County Eye will continue to seek updates and report new information as it becomes available.
9 Responses
We should all take turns sitting on the street across from his home to observe his coming and goings. Judge Jodie Meier doesn’t care about the safety of our children.
needed a higher bond what the Hell is wrong with Judges in Kenosha.
Is the Mother being held accountable? Considering the circumstances I would like to think, that she’d be more vigilant as to what HER obviously very troubled CHILD is up to! I don’t understand why this boy still even has access to a phone, internet, apps etc. So many questions!
This family should be run out of town. Every private business should have a picture of this family up, advising that they are not welcome and will not be serviced.
“Release decision pending” what is there to decide? Cannot be seriously considering release. Needs the Epstein remedy ASAP.
Somebody will die before this piece of shit is where he belongs.
And still nobody went to school😭
I’d like Kenosha Unified School District to consider working with Kenosha Police and Justice Department to create a “PROACTIVE PAUSE ALERT”, which *recommends* all schools in Kenosha cancel classes if there is a notified *active threat* that *may be* targeting *any* schools in the community…
…which then, I would advocate that schools choose to *close classes* until…
A) the suspected threat is investigated by authorities and deemed *not* an actual threat, and communicated to the community that the alert is canceled, OR…
B) investigators confirm the threat was legitimate, and have detained the suspect, and recommend continuing classes, unless otherwise notified.
Delaying until we know all the facts of a particular threat, especially in light of WI limitations on publicizing info of suspected juveniles, is NOT worth the risk to our staff and students!
I’d also advocate that whatever threat alert was positively identified and detained (B) that the community be notified when that individual is released, though still subject to current Wisconsin law on juvenile info.
He’s clearly determined.
Do NOT release him.
Anyone who wants to shoot up little kids, does extensive research on not only the concept but the layouts of schools and their schedules and sets dates with a clear plan to carry it out, is no longer just a helpless child but rather a mentally sick individual that needs to be institutionalized for his own and our children’s safety.
This is more than a troubled child- this is an individual of almost legal adulthood that is actually trying to kill others, to execute our babies where they go to learn and grow and play with their friends.
This is two times that our community has gotten LUCKY that he even posted anything for a tip to be made. If he’s released, the second he gets his hands on weapons- and he will, with that degree of obsession and determination- he will go ahead and do it. It’s not impossible for him to get into the building, obviously. He’s pictured inside Roosevelt, gun easily accessible, even if it wasn’t technically a lethal firearm at the time.
You know damn well that the next time, it won’t be an air soft rifle and next time, he’ll be sneakier and next time will be too late.
He’s severely sick in the head and you can’t get rid of that. Psych ward, far away from our kids. Do not give any opportunity for him to be free. You’ll just be granting him the possibility and opportunity to plan again and go through with it.
We cannot let evidence-confessed wannabe mass murderers roam the streets and able to go to a school or a grocery store or a crowded city event.