Madison Christian school shooting; community leaders react

MILWAUKEE - Community leaders from across Wisconsin are offering their reaction to the school shooting at Madison Abundant Life Christian School.

Madison police say three people are dead and six others were wounded after a shooting at Madison Abundant Life Christian School on Monday morning, Dec. 16. The suspected shooter, a student, is one of the deceased.

In the hours that followed the school shooting, officials from across the state shared the following reaction:

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes

"Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison but our entire country, where yet another police chief is doing a press conference to speak about violence in our community, specifically in one of the places that's most sacred to me as someone who loves education and to someone who has children that are in schools.

"To be honest with you, 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. And these types of trauma don't just go away. And we need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened."

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers

"There are no words to describe the devastation and heartbreak we feel today after the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison this morning.

"Kathy and I join the people of Wisconsin in praying for the families and loved ones of those whose lives were so senselessly taken and for the educators, staff, and the entire Abundant Life school community as they grapple with the grief, trauma, and loss of this gut-wrenching tragedy. We are also praying and hoping all those injured survive and recover.  

"Kathy and I are also keeping in our hearts the first responders who acted quickly and ran toward danger to help save lives. This day will no doubt weigh heavily on them, and we are grateful for their critical response efforts in answering the call when they were needed most.

"As a father, a grandfather, and as governor, it is unthinkable that a kid or an educator might wake up and go to school one morning and never come home. This should never happen, and I will never accept this as a foregone reality or stop working to change it.

"Today my focus is on supporting these families and kids and the Abundant Life community, and the state stands ready to support them and the efforts of local law enforcement through what will undoubtedly be difficult days ahead."

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly

"Our hearts are heavy with great sorrow as we mourn the senseless loss of life in yet another school shooting. No community should ever face the pain of losing children, teachers, or friends to violence – especially in our schools. Our schools are meant to be safe places.

 "This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to protect our children and our educators to ensure that such horrors never happen again. We will not rest until we find solutions that make our schools safe, and so our children feel secure. We owe it to every student, parent, and teacher to turn this great sense of grief that we are experiencing into action and build a future where senseless acts of violence are no longer a reality. The time for change is long past. Together, we will stand strong and demand the safety our children deserve."

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Dane County Executive Melissa Agard 

"Today, our community is reeling from the heartbreaking and senseless tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the students, educators, and everyone affected by this unimaginable and unacceptable violence.

"Dane County stands united in grief with the Abundant Life Christian School community. We are committed to supporting the school, its students, and their families during this devastating time, and will work closely with law enforcement and other first responders, mental health professionals, and community leaders to provide resources and care for those who need it most.

 "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. 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. I have been in communication with the Governor’s office as well as the Mayor of Madison’s office and we will continue to update the public as we learn more."

Forward Latino National President Darryl Morin

"On behalf of our entire Board of Directors, Affiliates and Members, I express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims of today’s mass school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin. We also wish a full and speedy recovery to all the survivors. 

"While we await further details of today’s tragedy, Forward Latino calls on the Wisconsin State Legislature to convene for the purposes of passing commonsense gun violence reform measures that are overwhelmingly supported by Wisconsin’s gun owners and non-gun owners. These measures include passing legislation that will require universal background checks on all gun sales, allow for members of law enforcement as well as family members to petition a court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order otherwise known as a red flag law when and individual with a firearm is deemed a imminent threat to themselves or others, and lastly to require all firearms be stored safely so that unauthorized users are denied access. These commonsense reforms are proven to help prevent gun violence. 

"Forward Latino stands ready to work with all members of the legislature to make this happen. 

"Once again, our prayers for the lost and the grieving, as well as our pledge to continue our efforts to stop what we know are preventable acts of gun violence."

Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action

"As a mother of four, I live with fear every time my children step out the door. But if there’s one place they should always be safe, it’s at school.

"The news of yet another school shooting is absolutely heartbreaking. These tragedies aren’t inevitable — they’re the result of choices made by lawmakers who prioritize gun industry profits over our children’s lives. It doesn’t have to be this way – our children deserve better, they deserve to live."

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

"Just days after we remembered the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School, another school community has been subjected to the terror of a mass shooting in Madison. Students deserve to attend school free from gun violence, but in our country, it is the number one killer of children—a devastating, preventable tragedy that demands action from our elected leaders.

 "My heart goes out to those senselessly killed and injured today, their families and the entire Madison community."

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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester)

"Today’s tragedy is shocking, senseless and heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with the students, parents and faculty who will have to live with the trauma and grief of this day for the rest of their lives. There are no words to adequately express condolences to those who have lost loved ones or to express gratitude for the first responders who were on scene for this violence."

Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler

"This is a devastating day for Madison, for Wisconsin, and for our country. This senseless act of gun violence is beyond words. As we mourn those who lost their lives and as our hearts break for the students, staff, and families whose lives were scarred by this tragedy, we must also refuse to accept this horror as inevitable. No community should experience this pain. No other country accepts this wave of death as a fact of life. We need gun violence prevention policies that live up to our values. In the shadow and grief of this day, Democratic Party of Wisconsin is grateful to the first responders who leapt to save lives, and we send our deepest condolences to the victims, the survivors, and their families."

U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02)

"My heart goes out to the victims of the Abundant Life Christian School shooting, their loved ones, and our entire community. I would also like to express my profound gratitude to our local law enforcement and first responders who selflessly put themselves in harm's way to protect others. Their bravery and dedication do not go unnoticed." 

"‘Thoughts and prayers’ offer comfort to the families and communities affected but have not changed our unique reality as Americans. It’s time for action. I am a co-sponsor of several gun violence prevention and youth mental health bills that will help prevent future tragedies like this. It’s time for my Republican colleagues to grow a backbone and put our children above the gun lobby by passing commonsense gun safety laws that will save countless lives."

State Representative Jerry O’Connor (R-Fond du Lac)

"I am deeply saddened by the news of the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School. My great niece and nephew are students at the school and I am thankful that they are safe. I am grateful to law enforcement and all first responders for their efforts today."

"My family and I extend our deepest sympathies to all those impacted by this horrible tragedy. The families of all of Abundant Life students will be in our prayers."

State Representative Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison)

"My heart goes out to the students, staff, families, and community of Abundant Life Christian School, who experienced a horrific shooting incident earlier today. I will be keeping everyone impacted by this morning’s violence in my prayers, and I ask that you do the same.
 
"As a parent, former special education teacher, and pastor, this tragedy hit especially close to home for me. My thoughts are with Pastor Tom Flaherty and his congregation in this time of intense worry and grief.
 
"I am grateful to the brave first responders who helped to secure the scene, provide aid, and reunite students with their families. I particularly want to recognize and thank Madison Police Chief Dr. Shon Barnes for his leadership during and following today’s critical incident.
 
"Everyone deserves to feel safe in our community, especially in our schools. No child should have to fear for their life during the school day, and no parent should have to worry that their child might not come home from school alive.
 
"We have to do more to protect our kids, and we have to work together to put an end to senseless violence in our state and in our nation. If you need help with processing the grief that we are feeling as a community today, please do not hesitate to reach out to the mental health resources we have available throughout our city and county. My focus continues to be on supporting families and those directly affected by this tragedy."

A Better Wisconsin Together

"Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to all of the students, staff, families, and community members impacted and left grieving by this tragedy.

"Every kid deserves to go to school without fearing for their lives, teachers deserve to feel safe at work, and parents deserve to drop their kids off at school and not wonder whether their child will be a victim of gun violence. 

"As we continue to learn more about this morning’s devastating mass shooting, it’s important that we continue to rely on verified information from trusted sources, come together to support one another and heal together, and demand better for our communities going forward.

"A Better Wisconsin Together continues to fight for a future where all Wisconsinites are free to learn in school, go to work, and move through our local communities without the fear of gun violence. Enough is enough."

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