Crime
3 dead, 6 injured in mass shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison
Police say juvenile shooter among the dead.
Madison, WI – Madison Police have issued a correction regarding the tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday.
Earlier reports indicated five fatalities; however, authorities have now confirmed that three individuals, including the suspected shooter, are deceased.
Additionally, six others sustained injuries in the incident.
The shooting occurred just before 11 a.m. at the private school, which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Madison Police Chief Shon F. Barnes provided updated details during a press briefing, noting that one of the deceased victims is a juvenile who is also believed to be the shooter.
Responding officers discovered multiple victims with gunshot wounds upon arrival.
Tragically, the suspected shooter was found deceased at the scene. At least one other fatality was also identified as a juvenile.
Authorities are withholding additional information about the victims until family notifications are complete. “
Our thoughts are with the affected families during this difficult time,” Chief Barnes stated, emphasizing the sensitivity of the situation.
The investigation remains active, and law enforcement is working diligently to determine the sequence of events and motives behind the attack.
“More information will be released as it becomes available. For now, we urge residents to avoid the area while our officers and investigators process the scene,” Madison Police said in a statement.
The shooting has prompted an extensive response from local and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), which is assisting Madison Police and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.
As a precaution, roads around the school, including East Buckeye Road, remain closed. Madison Police have designated the SSM Health/Dean Clinic on Stoughton Road as a reunification point for families.
Abundant Life Christian School, located in Madison, serves approximately 390 students across all grade levels, according to its website. This week was intended to be the final one before the school closed for the Christmas holiday.
“We are committed to uncovering the facts and ensuring the safety of our community,” said Chief Barnes. “Our officers are working tirelessly to provide answers and support to those impacted by this tragedy.”
Residents and families affected by the event are encouraged to reach out to law enforcement with any information that may assist the investigation. Madison Police ask anyone with relevant details to come forward as they continue their efforts to provide clarity and justice in the aftermath of this devastating incident.
Crime
2 Christian County deputies killed in the line of duty, suspect Richard Bird also dead
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
Christian County, Mo. — A massive multi-agency manhunt in Christian County has ended with the suspect dead, but not before claiming the lives of two sheriff’s deputies and injuring two others.
According to Brad Cole, the suspect, Richard Bird, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on State Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
Authorities confirmed that two deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were killed in the line of duty during the operation.
One of the fallen deputies has been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez.
The name of the second deputy has not yet been publicly released pending family notification.
In addition to the two fatalities, one Christian County deputy and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded during the exchange of gunfire.
Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The violence began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a Christian County deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville.
During that stop, Deputy Ramirez was fatally shot, prompting a Blue Alert and a large-scale manhunt for Bird.
After Bird’s vehicle was located abandoned, officers from across the Ozarks converged on the area. Sheriff Cole said approximately 100 officers, deputies, and state troopers participated in the search effort, along with federal partners including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF.
The search continued for hours into the early morning. A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area near Reeds Spring. As deputies approached the location, Bird reportedly opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking the suspect and ending the threat.
While the suspect was neutralized, the outcome has left the community in mourning. Two deputies lost their lives in the line of duty, and two others were injured.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating for the department and the broader community. Families of the fallen deputies are now grieving, and colleagues across multiple agencies are reflecting on the risks law enforcement officers face daily.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as authorities continue to process the scene and review the circumstances surrounding the shootings.