Three Dead, Including Suspected 17-Year-Old Shooter, in Wisconsin School Shooting
A shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday left two adults and a 17-year-old female student dead, Al Jazeera reports.
At least five others were wounded and transported to local hospitals.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes identified the deceased adults as a teacher and a student, adding that responding officers did not discharge their weapons and found the suspected shooter deceased at the scene. The motive remains under investigation.
The shooting occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time (17:00 GMT). Initial reports indicated five fatalities, but this was later corrected. Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents are assisting local police in the investigation, which has resulted in road closures around the school.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers offered condolences and expressed gratitude for first responders, while the White House confirmed that President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident.
This shooting adds to the grim toll of school shootings in the US. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, this is the 322nd school shooting in the country this year, the second highest annual total since 1966, surpassed only by last year’s 349. Despite consistent public support for stricter gun laws, legislative action has been hampered by powerful pro-gun lobbying groups.
