LIVE UPDATES: Madison Christian school shooting; 3 dead, 6 hurt, police say

MADISON, Wis. - Madison police say three people are dead and six others were wounded after a shooting at Madison Abundant Life Christian School on Monday morning, Dec. 16. The suspected shooter, a student, is one of the deceased. The other two deceased are a teacher and a teenage student.

Officials clarified around 1 p.m. Monday saying, "During the media briefing earlier this afternoon, it was erroneously shared five were deceased." Again, three people are deceased, six others are hurt.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said of the six injured, two students are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Four other students are wounded – but their injuries are non-life threatening. Barnes said the motivation behind this shooting is not known at this time.

"Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison but our entire country, where yet another police chief is doing a press conference to speak about violence in our community, specifically in one of the places that's most sacred to me as someone who loves education and to someone who has children that are in schools," said Chief Barnes said.

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Officers were dispatched to the scene just before 11 a.m. Monday. When police arrived on the scene, they found multiple victims – and the shooter deceased in the building.

UW Health received patients from the school shooting – and they are working closely now with patient families.

Madison police expect to have another update on their investigation around 2:30 p.m. CT. FOX6 News will stream that update. 

Reaction

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers

"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."

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly

"Our hearts are heavy with great sorrow as we mourn the senseless loss of life in yet another school shooting. No community should ever face the pain of losing children, teachers, or friends to violence – especially in our schools. Our schools are meant to be safe places.

 "This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to protect our children and our educators to ensure that such horrors never happen again. We will not rest until we find solutions that make our schools safe, and so our children feel secure. We owe it to every student, parent, and teacher to turn this great sense of grief that we are experiencing into action and build a future where senseless acts of violence are no longer a reality. The time for change is long past. Together, we will stand strong and demand the safety our children deserve."

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard 

"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.

"Dane County stands united in grief with the Abundant Life Christian School community. We are committed to supporting the school, its students, and their families during this devastating time, and will work closely with law enforcement and other first responders, mental health professionals, and community leaders to provide resources and care for those who need it most.

 "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. I have been in communication with the Governor’s office as well as the Mayor of Madison’s office and we will continue to update the public as we learn more."

Forward Latino National President Darryl Morin

"On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, Affiliates and Members, I express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims of today’s mass school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. We also wish a full and speedy recovery to all the survivors. 

"While we await further details of today’s tragedy, Forward Latino calls on the Wisconsin State Legislature to convene for the purposes of passing commonsense gun violence reform measures that are overwhelmingly supported by Wisconsin’s gun owners and non-gun owners. These measures include passing legislation that will require universal background checks on all gun sales, allow for members of law enforcement as well as family members to petition a court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order otherwise known as a red flag law when and individual with a firearm is deemed a imminent threat to themselves or others, and lastly to require all firearms be stored safely so that unauthorized users are denied access. These commonsense reforms are proven to help prevent gun violence. 

"Forward Latino stands ready to work with all members of the legislature to make this happen. 

"Once again, our prayers for the lost and the grieving, as well as our pledge to continue our efforts to stop what we know are preventable acts of gun violence."

Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action

"As a mother of four, I live with fear every time my children step out the door. But if there’s one place they should always be safe, it’s at school.

"The news of yet another school shooting is absolutely heartbreaking. These tragedies aren’t inevitable — they’re the result of choices made by lawmakers who prioritize gun industry profits over our children’s lives. It doesn’t have to be this way – our children deserve better, they deserve to live."

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

"Just days after we remembered the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School, another school community has been subjected to the terror of a mass shooting in Madison. Students deserve to attend school free from gun violence, but in our country, it is the number one killer of children—a devastating, preventable tragedy that demands action from our elected leaders.

 "My heart goes out to those senselessly killed and injured today, their families and the entire Madison community."

Training for this scenario

Madison's police chief indicated his officers were trained for a situation like this school shooting as recently as two weeks ago. Those officers are trained to "stop the killing, to stop the dying and find who is responsible." Officers did not fire their weapons. 

The school has been through a secondary clearing. Investigators also went through the school with the help of what officials called "bomb dogs."

"To be honest with you, I'm feeling a little dismayed now," Chief Barnes said, "So close to Christmas, every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. And these types of trauma don't just go away. And we need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened."

The ATF is already on the scene and assisting investigators from Madison. 

Parents of students at the school are reuniting with their children at a center about a half-mile from the school.

"I'm asking everyone to send your heart, your heartfelt wishes and prayers and thoughts yet again to a community. But this time it's my community," Chief Barnes said. 

Avoid the area

For those in the area, roads will be blocked off along 4900 Buckeye Road. Drivers and community members are asked to find alternate routes as needed in this area.

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The Dane County Sheriff’s office is assisting with the investigation.

FOX6 News has multiple crews on the scene – and we will provide more information as it becomes available.

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