A tragic shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, has resulted in the deaths of two people and a child suspected of carrying out the attack.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, also left several others wounded, with at least five people taken to local hospitals.
Incident Overview
The Madison Police Department has not yet provided details on the victims but confirmed that children are among the deceased.
The suspected shooter has been identified as a student at the school. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes reported that officers who responded to the scene did not discharge their weapons and found the suspected shooter deceased.
“Today is a sad, sad day not only for Madison but for our entire country, where yet another police chief is doing a press conference to speak about violence in our community,” Barnes stated.
“Every child, every person in that building, is a victim and will be a victim forever. These types of trauma don’t just go away.”
Immediate Response
The shooting occurred shortly after 11am (17:00 GMT), initially reporting three fatalities before Barnes updated the death toll.
Agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrived at the scene to assist local police, who have secured the area around the school.
“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,” Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said in a statement.
President Joe Biden has also been briefed on the incident, according to the White House.
Broader Context
This year has seen 322 school shootings in the United States, making it the second highest year on record since 1966, surpassed only by last year’s total of 349 shootings.
Despite consistent polling showing that the American public supports stricter firearms laws, political efforts to enact legislation have faced strong opposition from pro-gun lobbyists.
Boat Capsizes, 20 Women Feared Dead
Previously, Legit earlier reported that tragedy struck on the River Benue on Saturday when around 20 people, mostly women and children, reportedly drowned after a wooden boat capsized near Ocholonya in Agatu Local Government Area.
The victims, traders returning to Odenyi in Nasarawa Toto LGA of Nasarawa State after attending the Ocholonya market, were caught in the mishap.
