x
Breaking News
More () »

Madison school shooting: What we know

Police in Wisconsin's capital city descended on Abundant Life Christian School around 11 a.m. following multiple 911 calls reporting an active shooter.

MADISON, Wis. — Police in Madison, Wisconsin are investigating a deadly mass shooting that took place at a private school late Monday morning. 

Here's what we know so far. 

Where it happened

Madison Police Chief Dr. Shon Barnes said 911 calls began coming in around 10:57 a.m. reporting an active shooter at Abundant Life Christian School. Officers from Madison and across Dane County arrived at the school, 4901 Buckeye Road, on the city's east side, just blocks from Lake Monona.

Barnes said the shooter opened fire in a study hall, and that the 911 call was made by a second grader. 

Abundant Life Christian School is described as a non-denominational private school catering to students from Kindergarten through grade 12. Established in 1978, enrollment at the school around 400. 

Chief Barnes said students have all been reunited with their parents.

The victims

Chief Barnes said three people are dead including the suspected shooter. The two victims killed were a teacher and a teenage student. Of the six victims taken to hospitals, two students suffered life-threatening injuries. The other four victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.  Chief Barnes said two injured students have been released from the hospital.

During an early press conference, police said five people were dead, but they subsequently backed off on that number. 

"Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison but for our entire country," Barnes said. "Every child in that building is a victim, and will be a victim forever."

The shooter

The shooter was identified by Barnes as Natalie Rupnow, a 15-year-old female student at the school. He said Rupnow died while being transported to the hospital.  

Chief Barnes said officers responding to the incident found the suspected shooter dead of what they believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Chief Barnes said the weapon used was a handgun. He also added that no officers fired their weapons. At this point a motive for the deadly attack is unclear. 

The investigation

Chief Barnes said the shootings happened in one space but added he didn't know whether it was a classroom or a hallway.

Reporters on the scene said both state and federal law enforcement are on scene to help with the investigation, including personnel from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. 

Before You Leave, Check This Out