An unidentified juvenile shooter has killed at least two people and injured six others at a private school in Madison, Wisconsin.
The gunman also died, police said.
The shooting occurred at Abundant Life Christian School around 11am.
The suspected shooter is believed to be a “juvenile” student at the K-12 (kindergarten to grade 12 for 17-18 year-olds) school, Madison Police Department Chief Shon Barnes said on Monday afternoon.
At least six people have been taken to nearby hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening.
“I’m asking everyone to send your heartfelt wishes and prayers, and thoughts, yet again, to a community — but this time it’s my community,” Barnes told reporters.
There is no longer a threat to the area, officials said.
“Today is a sad, sad day, not only for Madison but for our entire country,” Mr Barnes told reporters.
He said police were alerted shortly before 11am and did not fire their weapons when they went into the school.
Mr Barnes suggested the gunman died by suicide.
“They found the person responsible who was down, deceased,” he said.
“I’m feeling a little dismayed now, so close to Christmas,” he said.
“Every child, every person in that building is a victim and will be a victim forever. We need to figure out and try to piece together what exactly happened.”
Emergency services at the scene of the shooting
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Police have yet to reveal the suspected “juvenile” shooter’s name, exact age or any other identifying details.
Mr Barnes revealed the suspected shooter is believed to have attended Abundant Life Christian School.
The private school, founded in 1978, has roughly 400 students. The non-denominational school’s website describes it as “a community Christian school with the vision of providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment for families in the greater Dane County area.”
Police have yet to release any details on the two people killed and others injured in the Monday morning shooting.
“I’m not going to give any information about who the victims are, whether they’re students, staff or parents, because we need to make sure that we can notify people,” Mr Barnes told reporters.
Police blocked off roads around the school. Federal agents were at the scene to assist local law enforcement.
“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,” Wisconsin governor Tony Evers said in a statement.
In a statement, the White House said President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting and officials were in touch with authorities to provide support.
John Diaz De Leon, who lives nearby and attends the adjacent City Church, told WMTV-TV he heard an intense blare of sirens as police responded.
“I didn’t know there were that many squad cars in Madison. We saw a few guys with long guns. They went into the school with a dog,” Mr De Leon said.
“Later on I saw groups of kids coming out of the school into the church sanctuary.”