OMG, you guys, the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, was rocked on Monday morning by, like, the worst tragedy ever. A teacher and a student are gone, and honestly, the whole community is in total shock. Police say the shooter was a 15-year-old girl—which is, like, super rare—and they’re still trying to figure out what happened.
What Actually Happened?
So, at, like, 10:57 a.m., gunfire broke out at Abundant Life Christian School, which is this private K-12 school on Madison’s east side. Police were, like, on it immediately, and they found the shooter, who was this 15-year-old girl (yeah, a girl, which is, like, barely even heard of), dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said it was just beyond tragic.
The victims were a teacher and a teenage student—like, RIP to people who were probably so loved. Chief Barnes was, like, super emotional when he said, “This is a day we prayed would never come.” Like, same, Chief.
Wait… A Female Shooter?
Okay, so, get this—female school shooters are, like, really rare. According to the Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s K-12 School Shooting Database (it’s a real thing, I swear), less than 5% of school shootings involve girls.
Dr. Katherine Newman, who’s, like, a total expert on school violence, explained that when a girl is behind something like this, it just hits differently. “It defies societal expectations,” she said. Like, no one expects it. She also pointed out that stuff like mental health struggles, bullying, or feeling, like, super alone can push someone to do something this unthinkable.
The Whole Community Is Just, Like, Heartbroken
Ugh, it’s so sad. Parents and students were gathered outside the school, crying and hugging as police cleared the classrooms. Like, I cannot imagine.
Pastor Mark Johnson, who’s from East Madison Baptist Church, called it “a senseless act of violence” and said he’s praying for the families. “This community is built on faith, love, and unity,” he said, which is honestly so sweet. “We will come together to heal, but we are hurting deeply right now.”
Counselors are already helping the students and teachers process, like, all the emotions, which is honestly such a good thing. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers released a statement that was, like, super heartfelt: “There are no words to adequately express the sorrow felt across our state today.” Same, Governor. Same.
Searching for Answers, Because WTF Happened?
So, here’s the thing: the police are still trying to figure out why this even happened. The shooter had, like, no criminal record or violent past—so it’s not like anyone saw this coming. Investigators are going through her social media and talking to people who knew her to piece it all together.
Chief Barnes said, “We’re looking for anything that might help us understand why this happened.” And, like, honestly, the whole country is wondering the same thing.
This tragedy has, obviously, reignited the whole debate about school safety and mental health support for students. Some groups are already calling for, like, way more funding for counseling and intervention programs—which, duh, feels like a no-brainer.
This Is, Like, Happening Too Often
You guys, it’s beyond heartbreaking. According to Education Week’s 2024 School Shooting Tracker (yes, that’s a thing), this is already the 20th fatal school shooting this year. Like, how is this still happening?
Shannon Watts, who founded Moms Demand Action, said what we’re all thinking: “Every time this happens, it feels like a broken record. Students, parents, and teachers should not live in fear of gun violence. It’s time for leaders to act.” Preach, Shannon.
Looking Forward, But Still Grieving
A candlelight vigil is planned for Wednesday evening at the Capitol Square in Madison, where people will come together to, like, mourn and honor the lives lost. It’s going to be so emotional.
For now, Abundant Life Christian School announced that they’re closing for the rest of the week—because, like, how could they not? The school said in a statement, “Our school family is heartbroken. We are grieving alongside the families of those we lost, and we will support one another through this unimaginable pain.”
Honestly, you guys, this is just another heartbreaking reminder of how, like, urgent it is to find real solutions to stop school violence. Students and teachers deserve to feel safe. Period.
If you or someone you know needs support, call the National Crisis Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or reach out to local counseling services provided by the Madison School District.
XOXO,
Valley Girl News
p.s. Remember how we were complaining just two days ago about how school shootings in the USA don’t get enough media coverage? We were wrong about this one.
