‘Stormtrooper’ sparks evacuation of US high school on Star Wars Day

A student dressed as a Stormtrooper on ‘Star Wars Day’ sparked the evacuation of a Wisconsin High School as well as the lockdown of a nearby Middle School and Community Center.

The incident happened at Ashwaubenon High School, Green Bay, Thursday morning when a parent, apparently oblivious to the ‘Star Wars’ fan day, raised the alarm after spotting someone enter the school wearing a mask and what they believed was a ballistic type vest. They were also carrying a backpack and bag.

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They called 911, triggering an emergency response from Ashwaubenon Public Safety, according to a statement from the agency.

Students and staff were evacuated from the building while officers, assisted by Brown County Sheriff’s Office, investigated the “perceived threat.”

"It was found that a student wearing a ‘Star Wars’ costume came to school on May 4, which is known as Star Wars Day to those ‘Star Wars’ fans,” Ashwaubenon Public Safety said.

Ashwaubenon School District confirmed in a Facebook post that there was “no intent of a threat,” but added that “the student will be held accountable.”

Ashwaubenon Public Safety, meanwhile, said it’s not taking any action against the student, describing the incident as “merely a mistake or lapse in judgment.”

Both the School District and the Public Safety agency praised the person who brought the incident to their attention for following the motto: “If you see something, say something.”

Stormtroopers are the ground force of the Galactic Empire in George Lucas’s ‘Star Wars’ series. Since their first appearance in ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’ in 1977, they have become cultural icons and a favourite at costume parties.