A tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, claimed the lives of one teacher and one teenage student, with multiple others injured, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed in a press conference today.
At least two students remain in critical condition, while four others are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries, authorities reported.
The suspected shooter, identified as a teenage student, was found dead at the scene. Police declined to disclose further details about the suspect, including the cause of death, pending an investigation by the medical examiner. Chief Barnes refrained from commenting on whether the shooter’s death was a suicide.
According to Barnes, the shooting was confined to a single area of the school, though it remains unclear whether it was a classroom or a hallway. Responding officers discovered a handgun at the scene, though no additional information on the weapon has been provided.
The Madison Police Department acted swiftly after receiving a 911 call earlier this morning. Coincidentally, a group of officers were participating in emergency training exercises just 3 miles away when the call came in. They immediately left the training site and arrived at the school to find multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
“What began as a training day became an actual event,” Barnes noted, emphasizing the rapid response of both the police and the fire department’s “special event team medics.”
While police continue their investigation, they are not rushing students into immediate interviews. Barnes stressed the importance of allowing students time to process the tragedy before recounting their experiences.
“We’re going to give them an opportunity to come in and speak to what they may have seen when they feel ready,” Barnes said.
Authorities confirmed they have contacted the parents of the suspected shooter, but no further details about their involvement have been released.
Chief Barnes expressed compassion for all affected parties, saying:
“As difficult as today is, that’s still someone’s child that’s gone, that’s still someone that has to deal with what happened today. And so we want to ensure as much cooperation and understanding as we can.”
Police have not yet determined a motive for the shooting. The crime scene remains on lockdown, and authorities are continuing to gather evidence.
As the community mourns this devastating loss, additional support services are expected to be made available for students, staff, and families impacted by the tragedy.
