The underage gunman shot himself as officers closed in, Madison Police Department has stated
A gunman shot at least four people dead and injured five more before committing suicide at a Christian school in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, according to police.
The incident took place at Abundant Life Christian School, a private institution that teaches children from kindergarten up to 12th grade.
The gunman, a student at the school, opened fire shortly before 11am, Madison Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told reporters. Two victims were killed immediately, while seven others were injured, Barnes said.
The shooter, whom police have not named, shot himself dead as police officers arrived on the scene to intervene.
Two of those injured died of their wounds shortly after being taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, a police spokesman said in a subsequent update.
Video footage filmed outside the school showed a heavy presence of police and other emergency vehicles.
This is the scene at Buckeye Road on Madison’s east side, regarding the school shooting. Abundant Life School/church is the location. pic.twitter.com/cRov5rK3je
— Kid Riles (@kid_riles) December 16, 2024
The incident took place six months after police shot and killed a 14-year-old who tried to break into a middle school in Mount Horeb, 20km (13 miles) from Madison. Prosecutors declined to press charges against the two officers who shot the teen, stating that he refused repeated requests to drop a realistic-looking air rifle he was holding.