Summary

  • Police in Wisconsin say the motive for the deadly school shooting in the state's capital Madison on Monday appears to be a combination of factors

  • But Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes says he is unable to share more on the motive while the investigation is ongoing

  • A teenage pupil and a teacher were shot dead and six others injured at a Christian private school by a 15-year-old girl, named by authorities as Natalie Rupnow

  • The alleged attacker is believed to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound

  • Chief Barnes clarified that the 911 call came from a 2nd grade teacher and not a 2nd grade student - a detail police had incorrectly shared earlier today

  • The two victims killed have not been named

Media caption,

Police ask for help in investigation of school shooting motive

  1. In pictures: Roads blocked and heavy police presence outside schoolpublished at 19:03 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    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.

    Police officers stand on the pavement next to parked vehiclesImage source, CBS
    Vehicles parked outside the school building in a car parkImage source, CBS
    Police cars on the road next to the school with their sirens onImage source, CBS
  2. Wisconsin governor ‘closely monitoring’ news on the shootingpublished at 18:50 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Wisconsin 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.”

  3. Suspect among five dead, police saypublished at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Media caption,

    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:

    • Five people have died, including the suspect, after a shooting this morning at Abundant Life Christian Academy in Madison, Wisconsin
    • Five other people are injured, ranging from minor to critical
    • Police arrived on the scene at about 11:00 local time (17:00 GMT) and began administering first aid
    • They also found a juvenile suspect, believed to be a student, already dead
    • Officers did not fire their weapons, but the attack took place near a police training centre

    Barnes also said there will be another update in about two hours, we'll bring you any developments here.

  4. Police did not fire weapon, chief sayspublished at 18:38 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    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.

  5. Death toll updated to five, including attacker - policepublished at 18:38 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024
    Breaking

    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.

  6. 'My heart is heavy', police chief sayspublished at 18:36 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    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.

  7. Shooting took place near police training centre - policepublished at 18:35 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    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.

  8. More information in two hours, police saypublished at 18:34 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    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.

    Shon BarnesImage source, WMTV15News
  9. No ongoing threat - policepublished at 18:33 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Chief Barnes says police believe there's no ongoing threat to other schools or the surrounding community.

    A reunification centre has been set up next to the school to reunite pupils and their parents.

  10. Three dead and seven injured - policepublished at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024
    Breaking

    At the press conference, police say three people have died - including the attacker.

    Seven people were also injured.

  11. Suspected attacker found dead inside school buildingpublished at 18:29 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    The Madison police chief says officers on the scene "located a juvenile who they believed responsible" for the shooting.

    They were dead inside the school building, Shon Barnes says.

    Officers immediately began to administer "life-saving efforts" for the wounded, he adds.

  12. Police chief: 'multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds'published at 18:27 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024

    Madison Police Chief Shon BarnesImage source, WMTV15News

    Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes is speaking with reporters.

    He says officers responded at about 10:57 local time to reports of the attack and found "multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds".

    The chief says today is a "sad, sad day".

  13. Multiple injured in school shooting, police saypublished at 18:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 2024
    Breaking

    A shooting at a school in Wisconsin has left multiple people injured, police say.

    Officers are responding to a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in the state's capital, Madison.

    "Multiple injuries have been reported," the Madison Police Department wrote on social media. "This remains an active and ongoing investigation. More information will be released as it is available."

    Residents have been asked to avoid the area and roads are closed close to the school.