‘I Ask For Your Patience’: Police Refuse To Release Info Of Shooter Who Targeted Christian School

The Madison, Wisconsin, Police Department is waiting to release any “identifying” information about the shooter who killed two people and wounded several others at Abundant Life Christian School Monday morning.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at a press conference on Monday afternoon that authorities identified the shooter as a “teenage student who attended the school,” but he added, “At this time, we are not releasing the age or gender of the student or any other identifying remarks of the student.”

“As difficult as today is, that’s still someone’s child that’s gone. That’s still someone that has to deal with what happened today. So we just want to ensure as much cooperation as we can,” Barnes said, adding, “What I will tell you is as soon as we are done with this investigation what we uncover that will not compromise the safety of anyone involved or compromise the confidentiality of any of these children that are involved, we will tell you. I just ask for your patience.”

Shortly after the press conference, a law enforcement official briefed on the shooting told CNN that the shooter was a female.

The victims who died were identified as a teacher and a teenage student. At least seven other people were wounded in the shooting. At a press conference shortly after the shooting, police falsely reported that five people including the shooter were killed, but later said that information was “erroneously shared.”

Barnes said that authorities have already made contact with the shooter’s family, adding that the family is cooperating with the police.

The shooter used a handgun, according to Barnes. Responding officers found the shooter dead upon arriving at the scene and did not fire a shot after their arrival. Police immediately began rendering first aid to the wounded. Authorities urged anyone struggling with mental health issues as a result of the shooting to call the suicide and crisis hotline at 988.

ALCS, a small private Christian school, was beginning its last week before Christmas break. The school offers education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. ALCS wrote on Facebook after the shooting, “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.”