Wisconsin political leaders show support after school shooting in Madison

On By Littum

Wisconsin lawmakers and public officials issued statements in response to a shooting at a K-12 Christian school in Madison on Monday morning.

Three people are reported dead, including a suspected juvenile shooter, and at least six others were injured at Abundant Life Christian School. Madison police erroneously reported earlier in the day that five were dead and five were injured.

Many lawmakers offered thoughts and prayers for the Madison community, while others criticized a lack of action on gun policy from Congress and the state legislature.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting, according to the White House, and senior White House officials were in contact with local officials in Madison.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that he is “closely monitoring the incident” and “praying for the children, educators and the entire Abundant Life school community.”

Here are more statements from federal, state and local officials in Wisconsin:

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly issued her second statement on a school shooting in seven months. As she also emphasized in her first statement in May at Mount Horeb, schools are meant to be safe places.

“Our hearts are heavy with great sadness as we mourn the senseless loss of life in yet another school shooting,” Underly wrote. “No community should ever face the pain of losing children, teachers or friends to violence — especially in our schools.”

Stressed the need to “do more to protect our children and educators” and present a future “where senseless acts of violence are no longer a reality.”

The US Rep. Mark Pocan

The Democratic US Rep. Mark Pocan, whose district includes Madison, said his office is “in contact with local law enforcement and will continue to monitor the situation and offer any assistance we can provide to our first responders.”

On his personal X account, Pocan said to “be ready for the lack of action on guns from this Congress. Sad.” He responded to several Wisconsin Republicans on X, criticizing them for sending “thoughts and prayers” instead of taking “action.”

The US Rep. Derrick Van Orden

Pocan got into an online exchange with Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who represents the western part of the state and had criticized Pocan for an earlier tweet Monday about inaction on the Farm Bill.

“There was a school shooting in your district a very short time ago and you choose to play politics with our farmers instead of focusing on hurting families,” Van Orden tweeted. “Absolutely pathetic, @MarkPocan. This is low even for you. Be better.”

Pocan replied, “Be much better. And support better gun laws or stay out. Thoughts and prayers are useless. Action!”

In a statement on his official account, Van Orden said he was “shocked” by reports of a shooting and that he and his wife are “praying for the students, teachers and families affected.”

“I will continue to monitor the situation as more information is released and I stand ready to assist in any way possible,” Van Orden said.

US Senator Ron Johnson

“My sincere condolences and prayers to all the victims of the tragedy at Abundant Life Christian School. I will continue to closely monitor the situation,” Republican US Senator Ron Johnson said on X.

US Senator Tammy Baldwin

“I have been made aware of the active shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison and my heart goes out to all those affected. My office is in contact with local and state officials and I stand ready to assist law enforcement and all those affected. ” Democratic US Senator Tammy Baldwin said on X.

US Representative Bryan Steil

The US Rep. Bryan Steil, a Republican representing southeastern Wisconsin, addressed the shooting on the floor of the house.

“I want to share my deepest condolences with the victims of the tragic events that took place at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, this morning,” Steil said. “We continue to monitor this situation, but we are all grateful to the first responders, the men and women of law enforcement, the medics who responded and answered the call. And we keep all of them — the first responders, as well as the victims — in our prayers today.”

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

Gabrielle Giffords, a former congresswoman and founder of a national gun violence prevention organization, released a statement.

“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,” Giffords said. “Students deserve to go to school free of gun violence, but in our country, it’s the number one killer of children — a devastating, preventable tragedy that demands action from our elected leaders.”

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard said in a statement that the community was “outraged” by the shooting and committed to providing resources to the school, students and families.

“No community should ever have to endure such a tragedy,” she said. “My administration will do everything in its power to provide assistance in light 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.”

State Representative Lisa Subeck

State Rep. Lisa Subeck, a Democrat who represents Madison in the state Legislature, said “parents should be able to send their kids to school knowing they’re going to be safe.”

“Today our community mourns the lives lost in this heartbreaking tragedy. My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” she said.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson

On X, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said his “heart is heavy after the shooting at a Madison school. I can’t imagine the pain for families, teachers and students.”

“Lawmakers at the State Capitol and at the US Capitol need to stop wringing their hands. There are changes they can make that will help reduce gun violence in schools,” Johnson said.

Journal Sentinel reporters Lawrence Andrea and Natalie Eilbert contributed to this story.