Three people are dead after a student opened fire at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., the local police chief said on Monday, Dec. 16.
The shooter, a teenage student at the school, was found deceased after officers responded to the scene, Chief Shon Barnes said at an early afternoon press conference.
He did not say how the shooter died, but indicated that officers had not fired their weapons inside the building.
Barnes said at a press conference later on Monday that authorities are not yet publicly announcing the student’s age or gender.
The fatal victims were one student and one teacher, Barnes said. The victims have not been publicly named. Police had previously said erroneously that five people were deceased.
Six students remain hospitalized. Of those two are in critical condition with “life-threatening injuries,” said Barnes.
Police responded to an active shooter call reported at Abundant Life at about 10:57 a.m., Barnes said. The shooting is believed to have entirely taken place in one room, though it’s unclear if that was a classroom or in a hallway.
A handgun believed to be the shooter’s weapon was recovered from the scene; police have since executed a search warrant on the suspect’s home, but are as of yet withholding their name or any other identifiers. Barnes said the suspect’s family is cooperating in the investigation.
“Today truly is a sad day for Madison and for our country,” said Barnes. “It is a day that I believe will live in our collective minds for a very, very long time.
Students in Madison public schools were on lockdown following the incident, but police dod not believe there are any further threats to students’ safety. Meanwhile, a reunification center was established at the nearby Dean Clinic so parents can find their kids.
Abundant Life requested on social media that people “please pray for our Challenger Family” following the shooting.
According to the school’s website, Abundant Life Christian School was founded in 1978 and serves grades K-12.
