Multiple injuries, 3 deaths including shooter in Wisconsin school shooting

Multiple injuries and at least two deaths are reported in a shooting at a Wisconsin Christian school, authorities said Monday.

In a press briefing, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said it was a “sad, sad day.”

Officers responded to an active shooter call around 10:57 a.m. at Abundant Life Christian School, and multiple officers began administering lifesaving care to those injured inside the school. Barnes, a former teacher himself, confirmed there is nothing to suggest that Abundant Life had a history of violence or concern. 

A law enforcement official told CNN that the suspect was a female student. Barnes said the juvenile suspect is deceased, and no officers fired their weapons upon entering the school. Authorities said the suspect was 15 years old.

“What we know is that a total of about seven persons were transported from the scene to area hospitals for treatment,” Barnes said. “We know that at least three people have lost their lives, including the juvenile person.”

Police initially said at least three people were dead, then as many as four plus the shooter, then revised that number back down.

A handgun was recovered at the school. Barnes said police have been in contact with the shooter’s family and they are cooperating with the investigation.

Barnes said he doesn’t know “why” the suspect carried out the shooting but said an investigation is underway. He confirmed that the crime scene was confined to one area of the school. 

Two others were killed in the shooting, including one teacher and one teenage student. 

Two students were transported to a hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Four other students were transported to a separate hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

“These are just the physical injuries that we know about,” Barnes said, noting the shooting occurred during the school day and there will likely be mental injuries that the community deals with for a “very long time.”

The campus has been cleared of threats and students are in the reunification process with their families at this time. 

“I think we can all agree that enough is enough and we have to come together to do everything we can to support our students to prevent press conferences like these from happening again and again and again,” Barnes said in another briefing Monday. 

Family will be notified before police release the names of the injured and deceased. 

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) said he was closely monitoring the incident.

“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,” Evers said in a post online.

The White House said President Biden has been briefed on the shooting. Senior White House officials are in touch with local counterparts in Wisconsin to provide support. 

CNN reported that Monday’s shooting at Abundant Life is 2024’s 83rd school shooting of the year, the most in any single calendar year since the outlet began tracking. 

Updated on Dec. 17 at 11:31 p.m. EST.