At least three people were killed and several others were injured late Monday morning in a shooting at a private Christian school in Wisconsin, police said.
The shooting occurred around 10:57 a.m. at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, a school with about 255 families in kindergarten through 12th grade, police said.
"Today is a sad, sad, day," Madison Police Chief Barnes said. "Not just for Madison, but for our entire country."
In an update, Barnes said two victims were killed - a teacher and teenage student - along with a teenage suspect who was believed to be responsible for the shooting. Six students sustained injuries, including two who were listed in critical condition. Four other students were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
Barnes said the shooting was confined to one space, but didn’t specify whether it was a classroom. A handgun was recovered at the scene. Detectives were in the process of interviewing witnesses and obtaining search warrants as police "worked to find out as many answers as we can," the chief said.
The shooter's family was cooperating with investigators following the shooting, the police chief said.
"Please understand, there are many things that we cannot share with you right now," County Executive Melissa Agard said. "This is an active investigation. This is an active case."
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In the hours following the shooting, a reunification center was set up at the nearby SSM Health Dean Medical Group, 1821 S. Stoughton Rd.
MORE: What we know so far about Abundant Life Christian School shooting in Madison, Wisconsin
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Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, speaking at a news conference, offered condolences to victims and their families, who support will be provided to in the days ahead.
"This is an incredibly sad day for our community," the mayor said. "As you've heard, there is no danger to our community at this time, but our entire community has been impacted by this tragic incident."
I hoped that this day would never come in Madison.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway
Rhodes-Conway urged anyone who needs mental health support as a result of the shooting and the ensuing coverage to reach out to 988 -- the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline -- by phone or text.
"It is incredibly important that we take care of our community in this very difficult time," she said. "We all have a role in preventing gun violence. Our entire community needs to be part of the solution here."
In a message posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said, in part, "There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel today after the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison this morning."
"Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in praying for the families and loved ones of those whose lives were senselessly taken and for the educators, staff and the entire Abundant Life school community as they grapple with the grief, trauma and loss of this gut-wrenching tragedy..." he added.
This story has been updated to reflect the Madison Police Department's latest information on the number of victims.
