Three dead, including shooter, after shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison

by Henry Redman, Wisconsin Examiner
December 16, 2024

Three people are dead and another six are in the hospital after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School on Madison’s east side Monday morning, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at a news conference. The shooter, who was a student at the school, is among the dead, according to Barnes. 

Two of the injured victims remain in critical condition while the other four have non-life threatening injuries.

Police responded to the shooting at the K-12 private school shortly before 11 a.m., Barnes said. While clearing the building, officers found the person they believe to be responsible already dead. No officers fired their weapons during the incident. 

“​​I’m feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas, every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever,” Barnes said. “These types of trauma don’t just go away. We need to figure out how to piece together what exactly happened right now. 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 in our community.”

While Barnes delivered his news conference shortly after noon, parents lined up in their cars down Buckeye Road waiting to be reunified with their children. Officials said they would not release information about the victims or the shooter until families had been notified. 

“Dane County stands united in grief with the Abundant Life Christian School community,” Dane County Executive Melissa Agard said in a statement. “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.”

“Parents should be able to send their kids to school and know that they will be safe,” said State Rep. Lisa Subeck (D-Madison). “Today, our community grieves for the lives lost in this heartbreaking tragedy. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

Barnes said he’d been in contact with officials at the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the FBI. President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, according to the White House press pool. 

Officers did not believe there was still an active threat at the school, but the department’s bomb detection dogs were continuing to sweep the building.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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