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Two people killed in Christian school shooting in Wisconsin

08:35 am on 17 December 2024

Photo: 123RF

At least two people are dead, and several others injured, after a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, police say.

The statement came shortly after a news conference at which police mistakenly reported four people were killed in the shooting.

The Madison Police Department responded to the shooting at 10.57 am Monday (local time) and urged people to avoid the area around the school.

Police have since confirmed in a press conference that the suspect is also dead.

Officers located a juvenile suspect who is deceased, Madison, Wisconsin, police chief Shon Barnes confirmed at a briefing.

Police believe that the suspect, who was found dead inside the building, was a student at the school.

"This is a ever-evolving situation," Barnes said. "So there's a lot of work that has to be done, and we're committed to doing that work. We just ask for your patience."

Barnes declined to give additional details about if the victims were teachers or students until families are notified.

Medics with the Madison, Wisconsin, Police Department were conducting training nearby before they responded to the shooting.

"They left the training centre immediately and came down here - and doing in real time what they were actually practising for," Barnes said.

He said the training centre is about 4.8 kilometres from Abundant Life Christian School, where the shooting occurred.

Barnes said at least seven people were taken to the hospital after first responders gave them "life-saving measures."

"That's why training is so important and making sure that we can provide the best possible training and the best possible response for our community members," the police chief said.

Police announced various road closures and asked people to avoid the area.

Abundant Life Christian School is a K-12 school serving approximately 390 students, according to its website.

The school has a 28-acre campus and its website boasts "smaller class sizes" that cater to students from about 200 families in the Dane County area.

The school planned to close for Christmas Vacation after this week.

US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting, a White House spokesperson said.

"The President has been briefed on the school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. Senior White House officials are in touch with local counterparts in Madison to provide support as needed," senior deputy press secretary Emilie Simons said.

-CNN