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Source: Kory Hartman | Civic Media
Dec 16, 2024, 11:50 AM CST
Three people were killed and at least six others were injured after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School on Madison’s east side Monday morning, Madison police said. The shooter was one of those killed.
The shooting happened just before 11 a.m. at the school, which is located on East Buckeye Road. Police say they got the call about an “active shooter.”
The school has about 400 students. Police said that the shooter was a student at the school. CBS Radio National is reporting that the shooter apparently took their own life.
At a 2:15 press conference, police said that one teacher and one teenaged student were among those killed. Two students are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries and four sustained minor injuries, they said.
During a news conference shortly after noon on Monday, Madison police mistakenly reported that there were five people who died in the shooting. Police later updated the information to say only three people were killed and the other number reported was done so “erroneously.”
At a news briefing earlier on Monday afternoon, Madison Police Chief Shon F. Barnes became emotional when sharing information about the shooting.
“This is something we all prepare for, but hope we never have to do,” he said.
He said authorities are trained to respond to such incidents.
“When officers arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. We train on this almost quarterly. The last time we trained on this as commanders was approximately two weeks ago. The protocols are simple: Stop the killing, stop the dying, find out who’s doing this. And the officers did that,” Barnes said.
Barnes said officers didn’t fire their weapons in the school.
Other Madison area schools are on a secure hold, but Barnes said authorities don’t believe there are any threat to other schools.
“This is an ever, ever-evolving situation, and we’re trying to figure it out … the school has been through a secondary clearing. We’re doing another one now with the help of bomb dogs, just in case. We want to clear vehicles and things of that nature. So we’re going to take our time, but we’re going to go through it. We’re going to do everything that we can,” he said.
Law enforcement from all over Dane County responded, as well as federal investigators from the ATF and FBI.
Barnes expressed deep sadness at what occurred.
“My heart is heavy for my community. My heart is heavy for Madison. We have to come together as a community and figure out what happened here. And make sure that it doesn’t happen at any other place that should be a refuge for students,” he said.
After helping the injured and clearing the school, authorities said they have shifted their focus to reuniting students and families. Some parents and families had gathered outside the school hoping to be reunited with their children.
Authorities said that the SSM Health Dean Clinic on the east side was where families are reuniting. The clinic, located at 1821 S. Stoughton Rd., is now closed for the rest of the day.
Police Asking Public To Steer Clear Of Area
Police are asking the public to avoid the area near the school, which is near East Buckeye Road, between Stoughton Road and Interstate 90. They said that roads will be blocked off along the 4900 block of Buckeye Road.
Dane County Emergency Management has set up a mobile command post in the area.
Madison School Officials Say Public School Classes With Resume Tuesday
Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Joe Gothard issued a statement Monday afternoon expressing sympathy with the Abundant Life Christian School community.
“Our hearts are heavy with profound sorrow as we stand in solidarity with our friends and neighbors at Abundant Life Christian School during this extraordinarily difficult time. We are saddened by the lives lost, injuries sustained, and the emotional and physical trauma experienced during today’s incident. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies to the school’s students, families, and staff,” he said in the statement.
He said that nine of Madison’s public schools were placed in a “secure” setting as a precaution, but that was lifted at 1:15 p.m. He said classes will continue in Madison public schools as scheduled and that “comprehensive resources” will be available to support students, families and staff.
Political Figures Speak Out On Incident
Wisconsin political leaders, including Gov. Tony Evers, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., each issued statements on social media saying they were monitoring the situation.
“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 on X, formerly Twitter.
“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,” Johnson said.
“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,” Baldwin said.
“We are in touch with local law enforcement, and will continue to monitor the situation and offer any assistance we can provide to our first responders,” Pocan said.
Dane County Executive Melissa Agard issued a statement saying the county stands united in grief with the school community and will support those who were affected.
“Today, our community is reeling from the heartbreaking and senseless tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the students, educators, and everyone affected by this unimaginable and unacceptable violence,” she said in the statement. “No community should ever have to endure such a tragedy. My administration will do everything in its power to provide assistance in the face of this devastating loss. To all those grieving, please know that you are not alone. Dane County stands with you, and we are here to support you in any way possible.”
State Superintendent Jill Underly said our schools are meant to be safe places, and we must do more to make sure this never happens again.
School Was Founded In Late 1970s
Abundant Life Christian School was founded in 1978, according to the school’s website. It was “specifically organized to offer students academic excellence in a Christ-focused context.” It offers education for students between the grades of kindergarten through 12th grade and its students come from 200 families from “56 different churches” throughout Dane County.
Stay tuned to Civic Media for continuing coverage.
