A shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin reportedly led to the deaths of three people, with another five injured, according to a police press conference held at a nearby gas station by Madison Police Department (MPD) Chief Shon Barnes.
Barnes confirmed the latest information during his 12:15 p.m. press conference indicated there were five individuals killed at the Abundant Life Christian School, but law enforcement later clarified this was incorrect. They confirmed three died in the attack, including the shooter.
In the press conference, Barnes confirmed the shooter was a juvenile student at the school, and said they were found dead inside the building. Barnes said he could not state whether those killed at the school are students or staff members until family members were notified.
“Officers found a juvenile who they believe was responsible for this deceased inside the building. Additionally, the officers began administering life saving efforts to anyone who was wounded,” said Barnes. “What we know is a total of about seven persons were transported from the scene from the area hospital for treatment.”
Barnes confirmed that police did not fire their weapons, but found the shooter dead from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. While he confirmed the shooter was a juvenile student at the Christian school, he told the press, “I don’t know if it’s a male or a female, but the police department did not fire their weapons.”
Police on mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian school in Madison, WI: At least 3 are dead, including the shooter pic.twitter.com/5UNOmjDyTT
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Barnes said there was no known threat to nearby schools, but confirmed security precautions were taken to prevent students entering or leaving the building in the wake of the attack. He additionally confirmed police were searching for explosives and other devices as a precaution.
The Abundant Life Christian School website explains it was founded in 1978 as “a community Christian school,” and teaches kindergarten through 12th grade. The website states the school serves 200 families from 56 churches throughout Dane County, Wisconsin, including Madison, on its 28-acre campus.
A school calendar reveals Monday was the start of students’ final week of classes prior to the school’s Christmas vacation, with classes scheduled to be suspended until January 2.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct Madison Police Department’s earlier statement that five people were killed. Authorities confirm that three people lost their lives in the attack.
