11 mins ago
MADISON, Wis. — A teacher and a teenage student are dead following a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. Authorities confirmed that the suspected shooter, a 17-year-old girl, is also deceased.
Details about the shooter remain limited, but a police briefing is expected at 8:30 p.m. Law enforcement has confirmed that students have been reunited with their families following the tragedy.
Barbara Weirs, Director of Elementary and School Relations, revealed that while the school does not have metal detectors, it adheres to safety protocols, including conducting a lockdown drill at the beginning of the academic year.
The incident occurred at 10:57 a.m. at the school's address, 4901 East Buckeye Road. Police arrived at 11 a.m., and multiple injuries were reported. Six other individuals were injured as a result of the shooting—two are in critical condition, while the remaining four (one teacher and three students) sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Two of these injured individuals have since been released from the hospital.
Authorities also confirmed that a north-side home searched by police Monday afternoon is connected to the incident but have not provided further details. Earlier, Madison police had misstated that five individuals had died and five were injured.
Police believe the shooter was a student at the school. Road closures are in effect near the 4900 block of Buckeye Road as law enforcement continues its investigation. Parents and students are gathering at the nearby SSM Health building near the intersection of East Buckeye and Stoughton Road.
“It’s a little shocking. You always see it on TV that it happens somewhere else,” said Guy Nelson, a nearby resident. “You don’t realize how real the situation is until it’s this close to home. It’s very scary.”
In response to the incident, Madison Metropolitan School District placed nine district schools on a secure hold due to the shooting. That hold was lifted by 1:15 p.m. Classes in the district are expected to continue as scheduled on Tuesday.
State and Local Leaders Respond
Governor Tony Evers issued a statement, saying,
“I am closely monitoring the incident at Abundant Life Christian School. We are praying for the children, educators, and the entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information. I’m grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond.”
Evers ordered flags to fly at half-staff until sunset on Sunday to honor the victims of the shooting. In a second statement, he expressed his heartbreak and commitment to supporting victims and their families, saying,
“There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel today… This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it.”
Dane County Executive Melissa Agard also shared her condolences, stating,
“My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the students, educators, and everyone affected by this unimaginable and unacceptable violence… Dane County stands united in grief with the Abundant Life Christian School community.”
Agard emphasized the county’s commitment to supporting affected families, first responders, and mental health resources.
Hospital Update
According to SSM Health, four injured patients have been treated. Two have been discharged, while the other two are in stable condition as of 6:39 p.m.
This remains a breaking story. Updates will be shared as new information becomes available.
Copyright 2024 by Channel 3000. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
0 Comments