APPLETON (NBC 26) — Appleton Police said an armed man who fired rounds while on the roof of Saint Bernadette Church is now in police custody.
At 10:13 a.m. Thursday, Appleton officers were dispatched to 1213 South Matthias Street for reports of a man with a gun.
According to police, witnesses said the man pointed the gun at a person and then pointed the gun at himself. He then made his way to the roof of the building.
While on the roof, police said he fired two rounds into the air. No one was hurt.
Police told neighbors in the immediate area to shelter in place. Johnston Elementary and Appleton East High School were placed in a yellow lockdown keeping students safe inside the building.
Special Weapons and Tactics personnel from the Fox Valley area arrived and secured a perimeter. Negotiators from the Appleton Police Department spoke with the man for about two hours until he ultimately safely surrendered.
Police later identified him as James F. Cooper, a man in his 30s from Appleton. He was taken to Outagamie County Jail. Police said officers and jail staff are working in conjunction with mental health services to provide additional resources to Cooper.
Police are investigating the incident.
