Driver with gun seen going past La Crosse elementary school; 19-year-old arrested

A 19-year-old arrested Wednesday, after allegedly driving by Northside Elementary School in La Crosse multiple times during recess, while holding a gun and wearing a mask.

Carter Radde from La Crosse is accused of terroristic threats, causing panic, displaying a false license plate, among other things.

Police stated Radde drove past the school on Kane Street, repeatedly around noon, while holding what appeared to be a gun and wearing a mask.

Playground staff said the gold car was also playing loud music with the windows down as it drove past, police said.

Multiple groups within the department responded quickly out of safety concern and the vehicle was quickly located in what police called a “high-risk traffic stop.” Radde was arrested about 30 minutes after the call came in, police said.

Police found a mask in the car and an air-soft gun on a kitchen table. At the time of the stop, two other individuals were in the vehicle with Radde, but it was determined they were not involved and were released.

According to police, Radde told officers he was on his way to pick up friends and made a wrong turn, so he drove past the school again. He admitted he could understand how it could be alarming to staff. Police also said he left the air-soft gun inside, assuming police were called. 

Bond for Radde has been set at $5,000 cash.

There are Radde’s charges:

947.019(e)                         Terroristic Threats

947.01(1)/939.63              Disorderly Conduct While Armed

946.49(1)(b)                       Felony Bail Jumping

973.10                                Probation Hold

341.62                                Display False Vehicle Registration Plate

343.44(1)(a)                       Operating While Suspended