A juvenile is suspected to have opened fire at a private Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin Monday morning, leaving “multiple” people injured.
Police responded to reports of an active shooter at Abundant Life Christian School just before 11 a.m. Monday. When they arrived, multiple people were suffering from gunshot wounds.
The suspected shooter has died and was believed to have been a student at the K-12 school.
Three people have died — including the suspect — and six others were injured, Madison Police said at 2 p.m., correcting its previous report that five had died.
The injured individuals were given “life-saving measures” at the scene before being transported to area hospitals, Chief Shon Barnes said.
It’s not clear how many of the victims were students as police are not yet releasing information about the victims.
Authorities are urging locals to avoid the area while the investigation continues. Parents and guardians should go to the Dean Clinic 1821 S. Stoughton Road for reunification.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the school shooting, the White House has said. Senior White House officials are in contact with officials in Madison to provide support as needed, according to the White House.
Did the suspected shooter attend the school?
Chief Barnes revealed the suspected shooter is believed to have attended Abundant Life Christian School.
The private school, founded in 1978, has roughly 400 students. The school’s website describes it as “a community Christian school with the vision of providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment for families in the greater Dane County area.”
Katie Hawksinson has the full story.
Three people are deceased, including the shooter: police correct earlier report
“At this time, three people are deceased. During the media briefing earlier this afternoon, it was erroneously shared 5 were deceased. Again, three people are deceased. Nine in total were injured, including the three deceased,” Madison Police said in a social media update around 2 p.m.
They also urged parents and guardians should go to the Dean Clinic 1821 S. Stoughton Road for reunification.
Congress members react to school shooting
Tammy Baldwin, the Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, said she had been briefed on the school shooting: “My heart goes out to all those impacted. My office is in touch with local and state officials, and I stand ready to assist law enforcement and anyone affected.”
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson also responded to the mass shooting: “My sincere condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School. I will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
Wisconsin Rep Derrick Van Orden also issued a statement in the aftermath of the tragedy: “I am shocked by the reports of a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. Sara Jane and I are praying for the students, teachers, and families impacted. I will continue to monitor the situation as more information is released and am standing by to assist in any way possible.”
Gun safety groups respond to school shooting
“Our hearts go out to the entire Madison community as we continue to monitor the situation. School shootings should NOT be common. And they wouldn’t be if our leaders had the courage to pass laws that keep guns out of the wrong hands,” Giffords wrote on X.
“Our children deserve to go to school free from the threat of gun violence,” Everytown for Gun Safety wrote.
In photos: Police respond to school shooting at private Christian school in Madison
From the White House
The President has been briefed on the school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Senior White House officials are in touch with local counterparts in Madison to provide support as needed.
Suspected shooter was a student, police say
Police are releasing limited information about the suspected shooter and the victims at this time, but the Madison Police chief said the shooter was a juvenile and is believed to have been a student at ACLS.
The suspected shooter has died, he said.
While giving a press conference, the death toll tragically climbed from three to five people. It’s unclear how many of those victims were children.
Five others have been transported to area hospitals.
Three lost their lives and seven were injured, police chief says
“Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison, but for the entire country,” Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at a Monday press conference.
Around 10.57 a.m., officers responded to reports of an active shooter at ACLS. Multiple victims were suffering from gunshot wounds when they arrived, he said.
At least three people died, including a child, died and seven others were transported to local hospitals, Chief Barnes said.
The shooter is believed to be a juvenile, he said.
What is Abundant Life Christian School?
According to the K-12 school’s website, Abundant Life Christian School was founded in 1978 as a community Christian school, with its first graduating class in 1985.
It boasts a 28-acre campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
“ALCS was specifically organized to offer students academic excellence in a Christ-focused context,” the website states.
The school offers smaller class sizes, “a warm and respectful atmosphere, and a student body representing a wide variety of different area churches,” it says.
Hundreds of school shootings this year
There have been 322 school shootings this year, according to K-12 School Shooting Database.
This year marks the second most school shootings on record, according to the database, only surpassed by last year when there were 349 school shootings.
Source: independent.co.uk