A shooting at a Christian school at Wisconsin has left at least three dead just days before Christmas Vacation.
The bloodbath happened at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday morning.
Three are dead and six others are injured, including two students who are in critical condition, after the atrocity at the K-12 school.
Wisconsin Police confirmed the shooter’s identity as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha.
She was a pupil at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, where the latest gun attack took place.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said around 10:57 a.m. officers responded to calls of an active shooter.
‘When officers arrived, they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds,’ he said.
The shooting resulted in three casualties – one student, one teacher and the shooter – and six others transported to area hospitals which include children.
Initially, police reported five fatalities but clarified in a statement that three people are deceased.
Barnes said police located a teenager who they believe was responsible for this dead in the building. The suspect is believed to be a student at the school.
‘Today is a sad, sad, day,’ Barnes said. ‘Not just for Madison but for our entire country.’
Barnes added that officers did not fire any shots at the school when responding to the incident.
The police chief said that the two victims in Monday’s school shooting were a teacher and a student.
The third deceased person was the shooter, who appears to have killed themselves before police arrived at the school.
Police are not releasing other information about those who have lost their lives until next of kin are briefed.
‘I’m not going to give any information about who the victims are, whether they’re students, staff or parents, because we need to make sure that we can notify people,’ Barnes said.
Police sources told the Associated Press they believe the shooter used a 9mm pistol.
Local outlets said the gunman burst into the school and opened fire. It’s unclear whether the victims are students or staff, or both.
A large police presence is currently outside the school in Dane County. The school has about 390 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
‘This remains an active and ongoing investigation,’ Madison police said in a statement.
‘More information will be released as it is available. We currently need people to avoid the area.’
The SSM Health/Dean Clinic on Stoughton Road is the designated reunification area, reported WMTV.
Barnes noted first responders were at a nearby training facility when the shooting occurred.
‘They left the training center immediately and came down here — and doing in real time what they were actually practicing for,’ he said.
Governor Tony Evers said on X: ‘I am closely monitoring the incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison.’
‘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 Senator Ron Johnson said on X: ‘My sincere condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School. I will continue to closely monitor the situation.’
The school was just days away from closing for Christmas Vacation and students were gearing up for Monday night’s basketball game.
Abundant Life Christian School posted a prayer request on Facebook in the wake of the shooting.
‘Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS. We are in the midst of following up. We will share information as we are able,’ the school said.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on school shooting. Senior White House officials are in touch with local counterparts in Madison to provide support as needed, the White House said on Monday.
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