Three people are dead and six injured after a shooting at a school in Wisconsin, police say
A juvenile suspect is among the dead following the attack at Abundant Life Christian School in the state's capital, Madison, the city's police chief Shon Barnes says
A teenaged student and teacher also died, and two students have life-threatening injuries
The suspected attacker, who was already dead when officers arrived on the scene, is believed to have been a student at the school
Police do not know the motivation behind the shooting
Residents have been asked to avoid the area and roads are closed near the school
Police say at least three dead in Wisconsin school shooting
Chief Barnes closes his address by saying that the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
"We are currently processing the scene. We are interviewing those that may have been witnesses, and we are obtaining search warrants to get additional information," Barnes says.
Barnes says police do not know the motivation behind the attack.
"We can all agree enough is enough," the police chief tells the assembled reporters.
He adds that more needs to be done to "prevent press conferences like these happening again and again and again".
Barnes then confirms the school building has been cleared by police officers, adding that there are "no other threats or danger to the community".
Barnes says the dead victims include a teacher and a teenaged student.
Six other people were injured. Two are in critical condition in hospital, with life-threatening injuries.
Four students are in other area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries, he says.
Barnes says this is just the physical toll – and notes that other students will be traumatised by today’s events.
"Today truly is a sad day for Madison and our country," Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes says.
He says that the suspected teenage shooter - who was found dead at the scene - was a student at the school.
He adds that they will not be releasing the name or gender of the suspect.
Image source, WMTV15NewsMadison Police chief Shon Barnes has begun to give an update on the shooting.
He says officials will not release some details about the attack, because it's an "evolving situation".
You can follow the media briefing by pressing Watch Live at the top of the page.
We're expecting to hear from Madison Police Department officials at 15:30 local time (20:30 GMT).
We heard from police chief Shon Barnes earlier who announced the death toll, which was then later corrected to three people.
He said authorities found the juvenile suspect already dead at the scene. They also believe that the suspect was a student at Abundant Life Christian School.
You can follow the press briefing by pressing watch live above.
The next police press conference is due in half an hour.
In the meantime, here's what we know so far about this morning's shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin.
A local politician says the community in Madison is "reeling from the heart-breaking and senseless tragedy" at Abundant Life Christian School.
In a statement, Dane County executive Melissa Agard says her "heart goes out to the victims, their families, the students, educators, and everyone affected by this unimaginable and unacceptable violence".
“No community should ever have to endure such a tragedy. My administration will do everything in its power to provide assistance in the face of this devastating loss," she says.
"To all those grieving, please know that you are not alone. Dane County stands with you, and we are here to support you in any way possible," Agard adds.
Shootings are common in the US, and schools are no exception.
Exactly how many shootings happen each year depends on how they’re counted.
The K-12 Violence Project, run by researcher David Riedman, has counted more than 300 this year alone.
Those statistics include all incidents where a gun is brandished or fired, or a bullet hits school property for any reason, regardless of the number of victims, time, or day of the week.
The news organisation EducationWeek says that 38 school shootings have resulted in deaths or injuries across the US so far this year.
There were a total of 69 victims - including 16 deaths - before today’s shooting.
Though such incidents understandably generate a lot of headlines, they are a fraction of the total US gun violence death toll each year, which topped 46,000 in 2023.
Comments have deluged the school's Facebook page, with people sending their prayers from communities around the country.
"Heart broken and shocked. Certainly I am praying for all at the school and Church and especially the families of those who lost their loved ones," wrote one pastor.
"It breaks my heart seeing not even 24 hours ago that there was happiness that it was the last week before Christmas," wrote another commenter.
"I went to a Christian school as a child & I know how close everyone tends to be there," she continued.
"How most staff work there for years and years, forming lifelong memories & bonds with students & parents. It hurts so intensely to know this happened, to know the impact this creates."
Another person wrote: "Prayers from Arkansas. We just don’t expect this at any school, much less a Christian school."
The Madison Police Department has just shared a correction on the number of people who died during the shooting, saying the actual number is three, including the attacker.
During a media briefing earlier they had said five people were killed in the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.
"During the media briefing earlier this afternoon, it was erroneously shared 5 were deceased," the department said in a statement.
"Again, three people are deceased. Nine in total were injured, including the three deceased."
The Abundant Life Christian School, where four people were shot dead on Monday, has asked for the public's prayers.
"Prayers Requested! Today, we had an active shooter incident at ALCS," the school posted on Facebook.
"We are in the midst of following up. We will share information as we are able."
"Please pray for our Challenger Family," the statement continued, using the name for the school's sports teams.
It was a heartrending contrast to the school's cheery post just 18 hours earlier: "Our last week before Christmas Vacation is filled with yum, yum, yum!"
We're starting to receive images from the scene of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
Residents have been asked to avoid the area and roads close to the school have been closed.
Image source, CBS
Image source, CBS
Image source, CBSWisconsin Governor Tony Evers says he’s closely monitoring the incident.
“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,” he writes on X.
President Biden has been informed, the White House says, and senior officials are in touch with local authorities.
The state’s US senators have also reacted to the news. Tammy Baldwin says “my heart goes out to all those impacted” and Ron Johnson writes: “My sincere condolences and prayers for all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School.”
Police say at least five dead in Wisconsin school shooting
If you're just joining us, here's what we just learned about the shooting from Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes:
Barnes also said there will be another update in about two hours, we'll bring you any developments here.
Officers who responded to the incident did not fire their weapons, Chief Barnes says.
He adds that officers believe the suspected attacker was a student at the school.
That brings the news conference to an end.
The number of victims killed in today's attack has now reached four, police say.
The attacker is also dead, officials say, bringing the total death toll to five.
Five people are injured, according to the latest information from the Madison police command post.
When asked by a reporter what emotions he's feeling now, Barnes says: "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.
"My heart is heavy for Madison and we have to come together as a community and find out what happened here and make sure it doesn't happen in any other place that should be a refuge for students in our community," he says.
The attack took place only 3 miles (4.8km) from a police training centre, says Chief Barnes.
The swarms of officers and medics that arrived at the active shooting scene "got to practise in real time," he says.
"They left the training centre and began doing in real-time what they had actually practised," he continues, adding that it shows the importance of training.
Chief Barnes says there will be another media briefing in about two hours from police.
Officers are looking into all the evidence of what happened this morning, the Madison police chief says.
Image source, WMTV15News