JANESVILLE, Wisconsin — Two men are now in custody after an alleged shooting on Tuesday afternoon forced three Janesville schools into protective holds, authorities confirmed. The incident has left the community shaken and raised concerns about safety near school zones.

According to the Janesville Police Department, officers responded to reports of shots fired around 3:00 p.m. in the area of the 300 block of Clark Street. Multiple callers reported hearing gunfire and witnessing a physical altercation nearby, prompting police to immediately launch an investigation.

As a precautionary measure, St. John Vianney School, St. Paul’s Lutheran School, and Roosevelt Elementary School were placed on protective holds. Under a hold, activities inside the school continue normally, but students and staff are temporarily restricted from entering or exiting while police assess the situation. After about an hour, authorities determined there was no ongoing threat to students or the public, and the holds were lifted.

During the investigation, officers identified and arrested 33‑year‑old Brandon L. Knutson and 36‑year‑old Jeffery A. Knutson in connection with the shooting incident. Both men have previous felony convictions, and charges related to reckless endangerment, battery, disorderly conduct, and possession of firearms by a prohibited person are pending as the case continues to unfold.

Thankfully, law enforcement confirmed that no one at the schools was injured. Police emphasize that the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident and not related to the schools themselves.

Community members have expressed relief that students were kept safe but remain concerned about the violence so close to places of learning. Authorities are continuing their investigation and have asked anyone with additional information to contact the Janesville Police Department.