Political leaders in Wisconsin show their support following the Madison school shooting

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

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

Many lawmakers expressed their thoughts and prayers for the Madison community, while others criticized Congress and the state Legislature’s lack of action on gun policy.

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

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers posted on .

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

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly made her second school shooting statement in seven months. As she emphasized in her first statement in May at Mount Horeb, schools should 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 have to endure the pain of losing children, teachers or friends to violence – especially in our schools.”

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

U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan

Democratic U.S. 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 to our first responders.”

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

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden

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

“There was a recent school shooting in your district and you choose to play politics with our farmers instead of focusing on hurting families,” Van Orden tweeted. “Absolutely pathetic, @MarkPocan. That’s low even for you. Be better.”

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

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 stand ready to assist in any way I can,” Van Orden said.

US Senator Ron Johnson

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

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin

“I have been notified of the active shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison and my condolences go 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 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin said on X.

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, a Republican who represents southeastern Wisconsin, spoke about the shooting on the House floor.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the victims of the tragic events that occurred this morning at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin,” Steil said. “We continue to monitor this situation, but we are all grateful to the first responders, the men and women of law enforcement, and the medical professionals who responded and answered the call. And we keep them all – 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 faced the horror of a mass shooting in Madison,” Giffords said. “Students deserve to attend a school without gun violence, but in our country, it is the number one killer of children – a devastating, preventable tragedy that requires action from our elected leaders.”

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard

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

“No community should ever have to endure such a tragedy,” she said. “My government will do everything in its power to provide assistance in the face 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 we can. I have communicated with the governor’s office and the Madison mayor’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 children to school knowing they will be safe.”

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Political leaders in Wisconsin show their support following the Madison school shooting

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