Madison, Wisconsin school shooting: 3 dead, shooter was 15-year-old girl
MADISON, Wis. (FOX 9) - A shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, left three people dead, including the shooter, and six others injured.
READ MORE: Madison, Wisconsin school shooting: What’s known about the victims
Who is the shooter?
The shooter has been identified as a 15-year-old girl, Natalie Rupnow, who went by the name Samantha. She was pronounced dead while being transported to the hospital, and authorities believe she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Madison Police Chief Shon said investigators spoke with the family members of the shooter Monday evening, and they have searched her home located in Madison. Authorities are still working to determine a motive behind the shooting.
Barnes also said they have the "full cooperation" of the parents of the shooter.
Madison, Wis. school shooter identified [RAW]
Police share new details about the shooter that opened fire at a Madison, Wisconsin Christian school. The shooter was identified as 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, who went by Samantha. Rupnow died while being transported to the hospital, and police believe she died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Abundant Life Christian School shooting
What We Know: Police responded at 10:57 a.m. to the Abundant Life Christian School for an active shooter, where they found multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
In a press conference Monday night, authorities said a second-grade student called 911, reporting the shooting at the school.
Three people have died — a teacher, a teenage student and the shooter — and six others were hurt, police said. Barnes said Monday that of the six injured, two students are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Four other students are wounded – but their injuries are non-life threatening and two have been released from the hospital.
A handgun was recovered from the shooting scene, which police say was a study hall classroom with students of mixed grades inside.
"To be honest with you, I'm feeling a little dismayed now," Barnes said Monday afternoon. "So close to Christmas, every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. And these types of trauma don't just go away. And we need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened."
Local Perspective: The school is a private Christian school that is not under the authority of the public school system. Abundant Life Christian School is a K-12 school with about 390 students.
The school has been cleared, and authorities are working at reunification, which could take some time, police said.
SSM Health Dean Medical Group East on Stoughton Road is being used as the family reunification center, the Dane County Sheriff's Office says. Meanwhile, roads are blocked off along 4900 Buckeye Road. Drivers and people are asked to avoid the area.
What We Don't Know: Police did not reveal who the victims were.
Barnes said the motivation behind this shooting is not known at this time. Police have made contact with the shooter's family, and they are cooperating with the investigation.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Police recently practiced this
Dig Deeper: Madison's police chief indicated his officers were trained for a situation like this school shooting as recently as two weeks ago. Those officers are trained to "stop the killing, to stop the dying and find who is responsible." Officers did not fire their weapons.
Reactions to Wisconsin school shooting
What They're Saying: Abundant Life Christian School posted on Facebook Monday, saying: "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."
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued the following statement on the shooting: "I am closely monitoring the incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. 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."
President Joe Biden says he has been briefed on the shooting.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. FOX 9 has a crew headed to the scene.