Wisconsin shooting: Three dead, six injured after Abundant Life Christian School attack in Madison

A female student is reportedly the suspect in a fatal school shooting in Wisconsin that left three people dead in the final week of class before Christmas.

Police were called to Abundant Life Christian School, a private institution with around 400 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, just before 11am on Monday with reports of an active shooter.

On arrival, police found “multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds”.

Three people were confirmed dead at the scene, including a teacher, a student, and the shooter.

The shooter, reportedly a 17-year-old female student of the school is understood to have attended class in the morning before opening fire on others and then turning the gun on herself.

Emergency services attempted to administer “life-saving efforts” to victims, however, three people were confirmed dead.

Six people were rushed to hospital, two in a serious condition.

A 9mm pistol has been recovered from the crime scene.

Police said the shooting occurred in a “confined space”.

Emergencies services, along with the school, commenced a “reunification” procedure after the shooting, confirming later on Monday that survivors had been reunited with their families.

Police are still trying to understand the motive behind the shooting and are conducting investigations at a home in the city’s north.

Police are refraining from providing identifying factors about the shooter.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said: “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.”

“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. These types of trauma don’t just go away.”

Video posted from the scene on social media showed a massive emergency response including police, ambulance and fire vehicles.

Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public, however have asked people to stay away from the area.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers shared a message on X, saying: “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.”

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard described the incident as “devastating”.

President Joe Biden is “aware” of the shooting, a White House spokesperson said.

Gun control and school safety have become major political and social issues in the US where the number of school shootings has jumped in recent years.

There have been 322 school shootings this year in the US, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database website.

That is the second highest total of any year since 1966, according to that database - topped only by last year’s total of 349 such shootings.

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Young people seeking support can phone beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or go to headspace.org.au.

- With Reuters