7-Year-Old Boy Dies After Experiencing ‘Medical Emergency’ at His Elementary School

A 7-year-old child died last week after having a medical emergency at school.

According to the St. Cloud Police Department, authorities were sent to Westwood Elementary School in St. Cloud just before 9:30 a.m. local time on Sept. 16 in response to a report of a “student who wasn’t breathing.”

CPR was administered on the child, who has not been identified publicly by authorities, before he was admitted to CentraCare – St. Cloud Hospital, police said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

He was then taken to Hennepin County Medical Center where he later died.

No foul play is suspected, investigators said, noting that they’re working with the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the boy’s cause of death. An investigation is ongoing.

In a news release shared on Monday, Sept. 22, St. Cloud Area School District 242 confirmed the child’s death. 

“It is with great sadness that we share that a member of our Westwood student community passed away after experiencing a medical emergency at school last week,” the district’s statement read. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy, we are not sharing additional information about the individual at this time.”

“Following the incident, the district conducted a full review of our response and operations and welcomed and cooperated with law enforcement officials as they conducted their independent review,” the district stated. “We have also reached out to the family and remain committed to transparency.”

“We know that news like this can bring up many emotions for adults and children,” their statement continued. “We remain committed to supporting the well-being of our students and staff. Our counseling and support teams are on-site and available for any student or staff member who may need support. We encourage students to visit the counseling office at any time.”

The school district did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for additional comment.

The death of the boy, who reportedly had autism, has shaken up both his family and members of a Somali community, according to CBS affiliate WCCO.

“As of this moment, that’s how confused the family is right now,” Samsam Mohamed, a board member with autism advocacy group Maangaar Voices, told the outlet. “They don’t have a concrete answer about what happened.”

In a message to PEOPLE on Thursday, Sept. 25, Mangaar Voices said that the boy’s family has not chosen to speak publicly due to ongoing legal matters and is unsure if anyone directly representing them will make a statement.

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“What we can share is that this tragedy has deeply impacted not only the Somali community but also the broader disability community,” the group continued. “The loss underscores systemic gaps in how children with disabilities are supported and protected in schools, and the pain is being felt widely across many communities.”