MADISON, WI (WSAU) – Madison police have begun an investigation into a shooting that occurred at a K–12 school on the east side of the city on Monday morning.
According to Channel 3000, police confirmed that the incident began at the Abundant Life Christian School shortly before 11 a.m. and left as many as five victims dead and injured six others. At this time, no victims nor the deceased shooter, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot from a handgun have been identified but police did confirm that at least one teacher and one student are among the deceased. Police stated on Monday afternoon that two victims are currently hospitalized due to life-threatening injuries while four others received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
During his press conference on Monday afternoon, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes declined to provide any details about the shooter saying, “The shooter was a teenage student who attended the school. At this time, we are not releasing the age or gender of the student or any identifying remarks about the student.” Chief Barnes noted that police have spoken to the shooter’s family and that they are cooperating with the investigation, including allowing authorities to search their home.
According to sources who spoke to CNN, the shooter is a teenage female student, marking a similarity to the mass shooting that occurred at The Covenant School in Green Hills, Tennessee, outside of Nashville, where Audrey Hale—who identified as transgender—killed three students and three staff members in March of 2023.
Abundant Life Christian School spoke about the shooting in a post on Monday, writing on Facebook, “Prayers Requested! Today we had an active shooter incident at ALCS. We are in the midst of following up. We will share information as soon as we are able. Please pray for our Challenger Family.”
Wisconsin 3rd Congressional Rep. Derrick Van Orden released a statement on X on the matter saying, “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.”
Gov. Tony Evers also released a statement on X saying, “I am closely monitoring the incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. We are praying for the kids, educators, and entire Abundant Life school community as we await more information and are grateful for the first responders who are working quickly to respond,” while U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin wrote, “I have been briefed on the active shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison and 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.”
According to its website, Abundant Life Christian School was established in 1978, and approximately 200 families from the Dane County area are served by the school.
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