MADISON (WKOW) -- A shooting was reported at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison on Monday morning.
According to the Madison Police Department, officers were called to the scene shortly before 11:00 a.m. A second grader caller 911 to report the shooting.
When officers got there, they found multiple people were shot.
Chief Barnes said the suspected shooter is Natalie "Samantha" Rupnow, 15. She died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on the way to the hospital. Barnes said she was a student at Abundant Life Christian School.
Barnes said he was aware of a manifesto, possibly from the shooter, that has been circulating, but he could not confirm its legitimacy.
Police recovered a handgun. The shooting was confined to one space during study hall, Chief Barnes said.
The teenager shot and killed another teenage student and a teacher. Six others, a teacher and five students, were hurt. Two students are in critical condition, considered to have life-threatening injuries. Three students and the teacher have non-life threatening injuries. Two of those people were released from the hospital.
During the first news conference, Madison police had stated five people died, but they later updated that report to say three people died, and six were hurt.
Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said the school building is clear, and there is no further danger to the public.
Chief Barnes said detectives are working on determining a motive. Officers have made contact with the suspected shooter's family. Chief Barnes said that their family is cooperating.
"Today truly is a sad day for Madison and for our country," Chief Barnes said.
Madison police asked the public to continue to avoid the area. The school is located on E. Buckeye Road, off of Stoughton Road. Roads are anticipated to be blocked off.
Abundant Life Christian School issued the following statement on its Facebook page Monday:
"Prayers Requested! 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. Please pray for our Challenger Family."
During the third press conference of the day, Barnes said all students from the school have been reunited with their families. Authorities had conducted been bringing families back together at the Dean Clinic on Stoughton Road (1821 S. Stoughton Road).
Some staff and teachers from the school took longer to be reunited with their families as they stayed on the scene to aid law enforcement.
Abundant Life Christian School serves 420 kids in grades 3K to 12, Barbara Wiers, the school's director of elemetary and school relations told media outlets at the third press conference of the day.
The city of Madison directed those seeking support to a list of resources:
- 2-1-1 Wisconsin: Call 2-1-1 for free and confidential information about the mental and physical healthcare, housing, food and emergency services available in your area. Resource specialists are available 24/7/365. For an online alternative, visit findhelp.org.
- 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 9-8-8, text 9-8-8, or click here to access the online chat to connect with a crisis counselor. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7/365 in the United States.
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990 to connect with counselors in 100+ languages. Operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, this helpline is available 24/7/365 to provide crisis counseling at no cost for people experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster (including mass shootings).
- VictimConnect Resource Center: Call or text 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846) or send a message through an online chat Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Dial 711 and VictimConnect staff can provide services through an interpreter in more than 200 languages and to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. VictimConnect offers confidential assistance to victims of crime through trained specialists who are available to help you locate services in your area, including mental health counseling, legal services, and more.
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